CHIAPAS (PROBABLY) - South Coast

Chiapas (Probably) is exactly the kind of dive that gets us excited about Irish wreck diving. This isn't some broken-up pile of metal; she sits remarkably intact at 53 metres, a proper steamship time capsule from 1882. We love the way the light filters through the green water here, illuminating the structure, and the feeling of descending into that kind of history is something else. You'll find the wreck sprawling across the seabed, boilers still prominent, and the single shaft giving a real sense of her scale. It’s a serious dive, no doubt, but for experienced wreck enthusiasts, it’s incredibly rewarding. Look closely, and you’ll see the hull is completely carpeted in anemones and dead man’s fingers, with conger eels peering out from every dark crevice. Our favourite approach is to take it slow, letting your eyes adjust to the low light and really soaking in the atmosphere. The currents can be tricky, so pick your day carefully, aiming for slack water around neap tides. It’s a dive that stays with you.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.718243, -8.126150
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Bhaile Choitín

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 CHIAPAS (PROBABLY)

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 CHIAPAS (PROBABLY)

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