Birchy Head
Conditions & tides
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
Birchy Head is a small, secluded shore dive in St. Margaret's Bay, reached by a path down from the road and a short climb to the beach. It suits Open Water divers through to technical divers. Depths reach 70 m (230 feet), but the reef only extends to about 14 to 17 m (45 to 55 feet) and beyond that it is sand. There are tires at 18 m (60 feet) for Open Water divers and more at 30 m (100 feet), useful for working out air consumption.
The entry has round rocks that are a tripping hazard, and it is easy to get lost and miss the beach on the way back in. There is no shelter and the site is fairly open. It is best in northwest winds, southwest winds can be doable, and strong winds should be avoided. Surge is relatively large in a southwesterly wind when the tide is coming in, so avoid it then. Watch for lobster traps with lines in lobster season and for fishing buoys.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
American LobsterHomarus americanusReported here · unconfirmed
Atlantic MackerelScomber scombrusReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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