DARK ISLAND - South Coast
Dark Island isn’t a deep dive, barely two metres, but it’s one of our favourite wreck dives on the South Coast for its sheer accessibility and surprising character. The fishing vessel, sunk back in ‘87, lies in such shallow water that you can practically reach down from the boat to touch it on a calm day. We love how the light plays on the deckhouse, often dappled by sunlight filtering through the kelp forest that has grown up around it. You’ll spend your time exploring the 10-metre hull, noting the way various crabs scuttle into crevices and the occasional pollack peeking from what used to be the engine room. It’s an ideal spot for macro photography, with nudibranchs often found grazing on the growth, and we always suggest going at high tide for the best visibility and a chance to truly float above the wreck. This site suits anyone looking for a relaxed dive, a chance to appreciate a piece of local history, and an excellent introduction to wreck diving without the pressure of depth.
- Location
- South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 52.149223, -6.990278
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 2m
Marine Protected Area: Tramore Backstrand
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
- ALFRED D SNOW - 30m (wreck)
- ALISON - 2m (wreck)
- ALIZE - 50m (wreck)
- ALLIANCE II - 4m (wreck)
- ALONDRA - 15m (wreck)
- AMARYLLIS - 45m (wreck)
- ANNE SOPHIE - 0m (wreck)
- ANTONY - 51m (wreck)
- ANTONY - 53m (wreck)
- ARDENT II - 35m (wreck)
- ARY - 25m (wreck)
- ASIAN - 10m (wreck)
- ASTRID - 0m (wreck)
- AUD - 39m (wreck)
- BANDON - 33m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to DARK ISLAND
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
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
- whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
- Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
- megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
- witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Spotted Dragonet (Callionymus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Bastard Sole (Microchirus variegatus) - Reef Fish
- sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for DARK ISLAND
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