CARLO (PROBABLY)
Protected Area
Saltee Islands 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) - CARLO (PROBABLY) offers some of South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 9-15°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Carlo, probably, sits deep off the South Coast of Ireland, a proper challenge for any technical diver. At 53 metres, it’s not a casual afternoon dip, but for those with the training, it offers a real piece of history. This steamship met its end in 1917, torpedoed by a German submarine, and that story still feels palpable as you descend. What we love about the Carlo is its remarkable integrity, considering its age and how it went down. The bow section is particularly captivating, often shrouded in that moody Atlantic green, with schools of pollack moving through the structure. We’ve seen conger eels that look like they've been residents since the sinking, along with hefty lobsters tucked into every crevice. Our favourite approach is to drop onto the stern first, taking in the scale, then working our way forward, letting the history slowly unfold. Visibility can be a bit of a gamble here, classic Irish diving, but when it’s good, the sheer volume of metal and the way the light filters through the superstructure is something else. It’s a site that demands respect and careful planning, but it truly rewards the effort.
Typical CARLO (PROBABLY) Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 53m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
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.
CARLO (PROBABLY) Wreck History
Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
3,040 GRT
The S.S. Carlo was a British steam-powered cargo ship caught in the crosshairs of history during World War I. In November 1917, while on a voyage from Huelva, Spain, to Liverpool with a valuable cargo of copper ore, she was navigating the treacherous waters off the southern coast of Ireland. This area was a hunting ground for German U-boats conducting unrestricted submarine warfare. On November 13th, the Carlo was spotted by the submarine U-97 and struck by a torpedo. The ship sank quickly, becoming another maritime casualty of the Great War.
Resting at a depth of 53 meters, the wreck of the Carlo is now a challenging site reserved for experienced technical divers. The cold, deep waters of the Atlantic have preserved the vessel, which sits upright on the seabed. Exploring a WWI wreck like this is like diving into a time capsule. Divers who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a largely intact structure, its silhouette emerging from the deep blue, a silent monument to its final, fateful voyage.
Reviews for CARLO (PROBABLY)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CARLO (PROBABLY)
CARLO (PROBABLY) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CARLO (PROBABLY), 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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