Fastnet Rock vs Malin Head — Dive Destination Comparison
Fastnet Rock (Ireland) scores 58.6/100 vs Malin Head's 58.2/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Fastnet Rock for reef diving with 8–20m visibility. Choose Malin Head for wreck diving at ~$90/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Fastnet Rock | Malin Head |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 58.6/100 | 58.2/100 |
| Country | Ireland | Ireland |
| Visibility | 8--20m | 5--18m |
| Water temp | 9--16 C | 8--15 C |
| Max depth | 45m | 40m |
| Current | strong | strong |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $110 | $90 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | June, July, August | June, July, August |
| Dive types | reef, wall, drift | wreck, reef, wall, drift |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Advanced Open Water |
| Key species | blue shark, sunfish, grey seal | basking shark, blue shark, grey seal |
| Google rating | 4.5 (48 reviews) | 4.4 (65 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Fastnet Rock when...
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Anyone visiting Europe for the first time
- + Groups seeking 10+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You're uncomfortable in strong currents
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 9°C
Choose Malin Head when...
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Groups seeking 15+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You're uncomfortable in strong currents
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 8°C
Bottom line
Fastnet Rock wins on overall score (58.6 vs 58.2), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Malin Head is more affordable ($90 vs $110/dive). Fastnet Rock has better peak visibility (20m vs 18m).