BANDON - South Coast

Bandon, off the South Coast of Ireland, is a wreck dive that really delivers. We love how intact she feels, even after all these years at 33 metres. Dropping down, you can often make out the stern first, a dark shape materialising from the green. Built in 1910, this steamship went down in 1917, and there’s a real sense of history here. The triple expansion engine is a particular highlight, massive and still impressive, drawing you in. Around the engine room, you’ll often find conger eels peering out from gaps, their thick bodies disappearing into the gloom. We’ve seen dogfish resting on the deck plates too, blending almost perfectly with the rust. Penetration is possible for experienced wreck divers, but even staying external, there’s plenty to explore – the holds are often full of squat lobsters clinging to the structure, and the deckhouse area offers interesting swim-throughs. The overall character of the Bandon is one of resilience; she’s a sturdy wreck, colonised by the sea but still very much herself.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.949000, -7.580000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Wreck History - BANDON

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,457 GRT

The SS Bandon was a steamship built in 1910 for the City of Cork Steam Packet Co., a vital link for transporting cargo and passengers between Ireland and Great Britain. For seven years, she faithfully plied these routes until the height of the First World War. On April 13, 1917, while on a voyage from Liverpool to Cork, she fell victim to Germany's campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare. She was torpedoed without warning by the German U-boat U-55, sinking with the tragic loss of 28 of her crew.

Today, the Bandon rests at a depth of 33 meters off the Irish coast. The wreck is broken up but still offers a compelling dive into history. Divers can explore the ship's remains, including her triple-expansion engine and large boilers, which stand proud of the seabed. The structure has become a thriving artificial reef, colonized by jewel anemones, dead man's fingers, and surrounded by schools of pollack and bib. It serves as both a popular dive site and a poignant memorial to the civilian mariners who lost their lives in the Great War.

Marine Protected Area: Helvick Head to Ballyquin 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 BANDON

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 BANDON

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