wreck

Log This Dive

EXCELSIOR

The Excelsior wreck, just off Ireland’s South Coast, is one of those sites that always leaves us wanting more. It’s a sailing vessel, gone down in 1917, and it sits upright at a nice, easy 15 metres. We love how approachable it is, perfect for a relaxed dive where you can really take your time. You can trace the outline of the hull, spotting the ribs and beams now encrusted with plumose anemones – their feathery white tentacles waving gently in the current. Our favourite part is the bow, where the shape is still quite distinct. We've often seen conger eels peering out from beneath collapsed sections, and if you look closely amongst the kelp that sways across the deck, you’ll find nudibranchs inching their way along. The Excelsior might not be a huge, dramatic wreck, but its charm lies in its history and the way the ocean has slowly reclaimed it, making it a living reef. It’s a site for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of a historical vessel and the small, intricate life it now supports.