CARNARVONSHIRE

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Lough Hyne Nature Reserve and Environs SAC

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) - CARNARVONSHIRE offers some of South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 9-15°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeYear-round

WetsuitA drysuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 185+ species recorded

Water9-15°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 3m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Carnarvonshire, lying just off Thige Mor Rock, is a proper introduction to Irish wreck diving. She’s an iron-built sailing vessel, driven ashore in 1896, and what’s left sits in a friendly 3m of water. We love the way the light filters through the kelp, dappling the ribs and plates of the old girl. You can easily make out her shape, the bow and stern still distinct, even after all these years. It feels like stepping back in time, seeing a ghost ship slowly surrender to the sea. Our favourite time to dive here is on a calm, sunny day, just after high tide, when the water clears up and you get great visibility. Look for the blennies darting between the frames and the small crabs scuttling across the ironwork. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to spend some time exploring a piece of history without the pressure of depth or strong currents. We often find ourselves just hovering, watching the sway of the kelp and imagining the crew rowing ashore that April day. You can spend a good hour tracing her outlines, feeling the texture of the encrusted iron, and watching the small life that’s made her home.

Typical CARNARVONSHIRE Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

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.

Today05:5416:5511h 0m daylightGolden hour 16:09

CARNARVONSHIRE Wreck History

Year Sunk

1896

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

The Carnarvonshire was a sturdy, iron-hulled sailing vessel built in 1876. In April of 1896, she was nearing the final leg of an epic voyage from San Francisco to her home port of Liverpool. After safely crossing the vast Pacific and Atlantic oceans, disaster struck just off the south coast of Ireland. The ship hit the treacherous Thige Mor Rock and was driven ashore, becoming a complete wreck. Thankfully, the entire crew managed to escape the doomed vessel and rowed to the safety of the nearby land.

Lying in a mere 3 meters of water, the Carnarvonshire is less of a scuba dive and more of an exciting snorkeling site or a very shallow shore dive. After more than a century of being pounded by Atlantic storms, the wreck is completely broken up. Divers and snorkelers can explore a wide area of scattered iron plates and hull ribs, now camouflaged by a thick layer of marine growth. It's a fascinating and easily accessible glimpse into the age of sail, perfect for an adventurous day on the coast.