COUNSELLOR

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) - COUNSELLOR 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 35m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The *Counsellor* is a big girl, and we mean big. Lying in 35 metres, this steamship stretches a full 121 metres, which means even on a good day, you’ll barely touch a fraction of her. Built in Belfast in 1904, she went down in 1916 and now rests upright, largely intact, with her two huge boilers a real highlight. Descending onto the deck feels like dropping into a dark, submerged cathedral; the sheer scale of the ship is impressive. What we love about the *Counsellor* is the sense of history that hangs heavy around her. You’re not just looking at metal; you’re looking at a piece of wartime maritime drama. Shoals of pollock often swirl around the superstructure, and if you bring a good torch, you can peer into some of the darker recesses where conger eels have set up home. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, those who appreciate a deep, dark dive with a story to tell. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for Ireland, but when it’s good, the *Counsellor* reveals herself as one of the south coast’s standout wrecks. Just remember to watch your bottom time, 35 metres slips away fast.