Dive Conditions: Strangford Lough

About Strangford Lough

Strangford Lough in County Down is one of the largest sea loughs in the British Isles and a Special Area of Conservation with extraordinary marine biodiversity — horse mussel beds, cold-water coral mounds, sea fans and over 2,000 recorded species. The tidal narrows at Portaferry reach 8 knots on spring tides, but the sheltered interior bays offer calm, accessible diving throughout the lough. Dive on neap tides at slack water for the best conditions; the reefs and walls at 5–20m produce world-class cold-water macro photography opportunities.