EL TORO - South Coast

El Toro, tucked away off Ireland’s South Coast, isn’t your typical sunny wreck dive, and that’s precisely why we love it. This isn't a deep dive, peaking at 9m, so it’s accessible for most. The wreck itself is an old Admiralty oiler, sunk back in 1917. She’s big, 128 metres long, and while the years have taken their toll, her sheer size still impresses. What you'll find here is less about intact structures and more about the atmosphere, a quiet, almost eerie presence on the seabed. We often see conger eels peering from the gloom, and sometimes a curious ray might glide past. The metalwork is encrusted with anemones and sponges, creating a habitat that shifts with the light. Our favourite time to dive El Toro is on a calm day with good visibility, often in late spring, when the water begins to clear and the ambient light truly penetrates to the wreck. It’s a dive that speaks to history, to the wildness of the Irish sea, and to the enduring power of marine life to reclaim what's lost. If you appreciate historical context and don't mind a bit of a chill, this is a brilliant dive.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.769780, -10.538167
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Marine Protected Area: Skelligs SPA

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 EL TORO

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 EL TORO

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