The mooring site on the north Atlantic coast of Ireland lies approximately 8 miles north of the mouth of the river Bann. The coastline of the area has a diversity of features including substantial sand beaches and dune systems, cliffs, small harbours and the Giants Causeway. Numerous features of current scientific interest can be found in the area such as the underwater cliffs of Rathlin Island and Shamrock Pinnacle, and a number of rare and new species have recently been identified in the area.

Waters in the area are affected by a number of significant freshwater inputs such as the Foyle and the Bann, with numerous smaller direct inputs from rivers such as the Bush. Atlantic exposure and proximity to the deep waters of the north channel make this a very dynamic site with good productivity and diversity. Cetaceans and Tuna are known to frequent the area and a well studied but vulnerable Salmon population can be found around this coastline. Whilst the site could be considered to be marine, influences from the Foyle and Bann catchments have been identified in the surface waters - this mooring aims to establish and define these effects.