Malinbeg is a narrow, long, south-facing inlet, widening at it's mouth into Donegal Bay. The pier is approached by a long flight of steps, which have received many a diver's curse when trying to carry bottles and weight belts after a dive! Entering the water at the slip proceed underwater across the harbour, around some large rocks until you come to the edge of a sandy patch. Here the depth is between 6-10m with plenty of seaweed-covered rocks amongst the sandy patches.

Exploration of the vicinity will result in the discovery of Crabs, Sponges, small blennies and an abundance of small Dabs and Plaice. Crossing over the sand to the far edge, proceed South for about 70m. Here, if the divers look carefully, they will find a collection of boulders under kelp at the edge of the sand. Occasionally small lobsters can be seen feasting on the remains of the fishermen's catch. These creatures are very wary of intruders and disappear into their holes, so an approach with care is necessary in order to see them. At this point the diver changes direction to go West towards the large sea stack which dominates the inner harbour.

The stack consists of a large quantity of natural iron which upsets compasses, but from 8m underwater you can clearly see the stack against the skyline making it reasonably easy to find. The base of the stack provides a habitat for soft corals, Squat Lobsters, Blennies, Jewel Anemones, Sea Urchins and the occasional Conger Eel. Diving around the stack is interesting but if the diver takes time to investigate the many nooks and crannies of this spectacular rock, then a whole new world of underwater life and colour will appear.

To return to the pier swim off the stack towards the nearest Easterly sandy patch, head North following the edge of the sand and after 100m change direction West where you should surface back at the quay wall. This is also a spectacular location for a night dive. Two street lamps on the cliff overlooking the quay light up the underwater terrain and act also as navigational marks. Following the same dive plan as above the diver is likely to come across night creatures which inhabit the stack, such as conger eels and lobsters, while the Blennies and other fish can be found asleep in the crevices.

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After hundreds of steps you can enter Malinbeg Bay where you can find plenty of fish and soft corals.

Take a look at some of the other dive destinations.