HMS MOROCOALA - South Coast

The HMS Morocoala isn't just another lump of metal on the seabed, it’s a proper piece of history, resting at 40 metres off the South Coast. We love how intact she is for a wreck of her age, a trawler-turned-minesweeper lost to a mine in 1917. Descending, you’ll first pick out the stern, rising like a dark silhouette from the gloom. Our favourite part is exploring the deck, which is still largely coherent. You can trace the outline of the old fishing gear and imagine the crew going about their duties. The visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the light filters down, illuminating the anemones and dead man's fingers that carpet every surface. Keep an eye out for conger eels peering from dark nooks and crannies – they're pretty common residents. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a deep, atmospheric exploration rather than a shallow coral garden. It’s cold water, so a drysuit is a given, and we’d suggest good dive lights to really pick out the details.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.695034, -8.223884
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Marine Protected Area: Sovereign Islands NHA

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 HMS MOROCOALA

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 HMS MOROCOALA

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