ETAL MANOR - South Coast

The *Etal Manor*, down at 55 metres, is our kind of wreck dive. It’s deep, sure, but the rewards are significant. She was a steamship, sunk by a U-boat in 1917, and now lies upright, largely intact, with her two boilers standing proud midship. Drop down and you’ll see her silhouette emerge from the gloom, a proper ship shape. The bow section is particularly good, often with conger eels peering from the deeper recesses. We love tracing the deck line, feeling the shift in temperature as you move around her, and exploring the holds. The triple expansion engine is still there, a testament to her past life, and a haven for squat lobsters and the occasional anglerfish. Visibility here can be temperamental, as is often the case off the South Coast, so pick your day carefully, ideally on a slack tide for the best experience. This is a dive for experienced wreck heads, those comfortable with deeper profiles and potentially strong currents, but the sense of history and the sheer scale of the wreck make it absolutely worth the effort.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
52.003433, -6.899281
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
55m

Marine Protected Area: Hook Head 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 ETAL MANOR

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 ETAL MANOR

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