FOLIA
Protected Area
Ardmore Head 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) - FOLIA offers some of South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 9-15°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Folia, a steamship that went down in 1917, rests at 34 metres off the South Coast. It’s a substantial wreck, over 130 metres long, which means you can really settle into exploring it. The sheer scale is impressive, with five boilers and the triple-expansion engine still quite discernible if you know where to look. Expect plenty of squat lobsters tucked into crevices and ling often hovering around the deeper sections. It's a dive for those comfortable with deeper wrecks and the cooler Irish waters, offering a solid penetration experience into a piece of maritime history.
Typical FOLIA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (34m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 14°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Reviews for FOLIA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for FOLIA
FOLIA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for FOLIA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (51.71, -8.38) (9km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
14°C
57°F · Range: 12.3–14.8°C
Air Temperature
12°C
54°F
Wind Speed
7.84 m/s
15.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1008.6 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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