CARRABIN (POSSIBLY)

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Sovereign Islands NHA

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) - CARRABIN (POSSIBLY) 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 60m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Carrabin, or what we strongly suspect is Carrabin, is one of those Irish wrecks that just *hits* differently. Sunk in 1917, she’s a big sailing vessel, 96.5 metres of torpedoed history, lying upright on the seabed at 60 metres. That’s deep, proper technical diving territory, but if you’ve got the training, the rewards are immense. We love the scale of her, the way the masts still reach up into the gloom, often draped in fishing nets that sway with the surge. Dropping down, the sheer size of the hull emerges slowly from the green, a real sense of descending into another time. You can spend a whole dive exploring the deck, the holds, often finding conger eels peering from dark corners and massive balls of pollock swirling around the bow. It’s a very atmospheric dive, dark and imposing, but utterly captivating. Visibility can be a challenge, as it often is on the South Coast, but on a good day, when the light penetrates just right, it’s truly spectacular. Our top tip: aim for slack water on a neap tide for the best chance at calmer conditions, and definitely bring a good primary light; you’ll want to poke into every crevice.

Typical CARRABIN (POSSIBLY) 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 60m 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.

Today05:5016:5011h 0m daylightGolden hour 16:04

CARRABIN (POSSIBLY) Wreck History

Year Sunk

1917

Vessel Type

sailing vessel

Cause

torpedo

Tonnage

2,525 GRT

The Carrabin began her life in 1892 as the North Star, a magnificent four-masted steel barque built to carry cargo across the world's oceans in the twilight years of commercial sail. Over her 25-year career, she sailed under several names, including Alsterufer and Susanne Vinnen, representing the changing fortunes of global trade. In the midst of the First World War, she was on a long passage from Bunbury, Australia, to London, her holds filled with a valuable cargo.

On September 1st, 1917, her final voyage came to an abrupt and violent end. While navigating the treacherous waters off the south coast of Ireland, she was spotted by a German U-boat. A single torpedo strike sealed her fate, sending the grand sailing ship and her cargo to the seabed. Today, the Carrabin lies at 60 meters, a challenging and rewarding dive for experienced technical divers. The wreck is a testament to a bygone era, a ghostly steel skeleton that provides a profound connection to the maritime history of WWI.