CITIZEN FRED - South Coast

Citizen Fred is one of those wrecks that just makes you smile. Forget the big, deep metal behemoths; this is an intimate dive, a Folkboat, to be precise, grounded on the South Coast. We love how accessible it is, sitting practically in the shallows. You’re not fighting depth or nitrogen, just enjoying a leisurely poke around. The wreck itself is remarkably intact for a boat that's been battered by Irish seas since 1975. You can still make out the lines of the hull, the ghost of its cabin. What really grabs us though is the way life has just exploded all over it. Every crevice seems to host a blenny, and the timbers are fuzzy with anemones and hydroids. We’ve seen small pollack darting through the skeleton of the deck, and crabs scuttling amongst the keel. It’s a photographer’s dream, especially on a bright, calm day when the sun dapples through the water and illuminates the colours. Best dived at slack high tide; otherwise, the surge can make things a bit too lively. It’s a perfect site for newer wreck divers or anyone who appreciates the quiet beauty of a forgotten vessel slowly reclaimed by the sea.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.825333, -10.175667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Ballinskelligs Bay and Inny Estuary 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 CITIZEN FRED

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 CITIZEN FRED

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