BANDON
Protected Area
Helvick Head to Ballyquin SPA
Why dive here
With 185+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BANDON offers some of South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 9-15°C, warmest July, August, September.
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.
Typical BANDON Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (33m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 14°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BANDON Wreck History
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.
Reviews for BANDON
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BANDON
BANDON Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BANDON, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (51.71, -8.38) (9km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
14°C
57°F · Range: 12.3–14.8°C
Air Temperature
12°C
54°F
Wind Speed
7.84 m/s
15.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1008.6 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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