CASTAWAY - South Coast

Castaway isn't your typical Ireland wreck dive. We’re talking about a small cruiser, only 4.1m long, that went down in 2010. It’s a tragic story, with three lives lost, which always makes us pause for a moment of reflection when we descend. Dropping down to 44m, you find the Castaway sitting upright, surprisingly intact for its size. The deckhouse is still there, and you can peer into what was once the cabin. It feels less like a wreck and more like a lost toy boat. The short length means you can spend time really scrutinising it. We've seen conger eels poking their heads out from beneath the hull, and the brass fittings are still catching the light, surprisingly shiny. It’s already attracting a decent growth of dead man's fingers and anemones, which glow under a torch. It's a deep dive, definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with extended bottom times and good buoyancy. Our favourite way to dive it is to take our time on the descent, ensuring we get a full 15-20 minutes on the wreck, then make a slow, controlled ascent, enjoying the open water for a bit before our safety stop. We’d suggest going when the current is minimal; it’s a small target and can be easy to miss if there’s a strong push.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.628000, -9.705167
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
44m

Marine Protected Area: Farranamanagh Lough SAC

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 CASTAWAY

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 CASTAWAY

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