ALISON - South Coast

The *Alison* is a proper piece of history, and we love diving it. This steamship, which went down back in 1928, sits in a remarkably shallow two metres of water, making it perfect for an extended rummage. You really feel the age of the ship as you explore its remains; the hull, nearly 40 metres long, is still largely intact, giving you a good sense of its original form. We’ve spent hours here just poking around the different sections, imagining life aboard. The exposed nature of the wreck, so close to the surface, means light penetrates everywhere, even on a cloudy day, illuminating the brassy hues of kelp swaying over the metalwork. It’s not just a historical curiosity either. The *Alison* has become an artificial reef, with wrasse darting between the plates and crabs scuttling in the shadows. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, ideal for photographers or anyone keen to spend time really getting to know a wreck without any depth constraints. We’d suggest going at high slack tide for the best visibility and a completely current-free experience.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.843334, -8.301666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - ALISON

Year Sunk
1928
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
155 GRT

The SS Alison was a veteran of the seas, built in 1892 and serving under two previous names, Efterpe and Australia, before her final voyage. This small coastal steamship had a long and productive life, but it came to an abrupt end in October 1928 when she ran aground in bad weather on the unforgiving South Coast of Ireland. The sea and storms did the rest, breaking the vessel apart where she lay.

Resting in just 2 meters of water, the Alison is less of a scuba dive and more of a snorkeling adventure or a very shallow shore dive. Decades of relentless wave action have scattered the wreck, but its key features remain for the observant explorer. The most prominent feature is the ship's boiler, which stands proud of the seabed. Surrounding it, you can find plates from the hull, parts of the 60hp compound engine, and other metallic bones of this historic steamship, all now encrusted with kelp and home to crabs and small fish. It's a fantastic and accessible way to touch a piece of maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: Cork Harbour SPA

Best Time to Dive in South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in South Coast occur in January, averaging 8.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.8°C (air: 7.0°C)
  • February: 8.8°C (air: 8.3°C)
  • March: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)
  • April: 8.8°C (air: 9.3°C)
  • May: 8.8°C (air: 11.8°C)
  • June: 8.8°C (air: 14.2°C)
  • July: 8.8°C (air: 15.6°C)
  • August: 8.8°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • September: 8.8°C (air: 14.6°C)
  • October: 8.8°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • November: 8.8°C (air: 9.9°C)
  • December: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in South Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to ALISON

Marine Life in South Coast

Home to 199 recorded species including 97 reef fish, 24 sharks & rays, 14 whales & dolphins, 14 other, 10 crabs & lobsters, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALISON

Based on average water temperature of 8.8°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 9°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories