HMS SAFEGUARD - South Coast

The HMS Safeguard is one of our favourite Irish wrecks to spend time with, though 'wreck' is almost a misnomer here. We’re talking about a salvage vessel that met its own end on the rocks at Portmagee in 1919. It was built in Southampton, a solid piece of kit at 48.8m long, and it's certainly had a life. What you get today isn't a pristine ship sitting upright, but a wonderfully broken-up collection of hull plates, ribs, and machinery parts scattered across the seafloor. It’s like a giant’s jigsaw puzzle, and the way the light filters through the gaps in the metal, catching the schooling pollack, is something we always appreciate. We love seeing how the kelp has started to take hold on the more exposed sections. Look for the nudibranchs clinging to the anenomes and the blennies darting into crevices. This site is less about penetration and more about exploring the nooks and crannies created by the collapse, making it a good choice for divers who like to take their time and observe the smaller details.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.883335, -10.416667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Puffin Island 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 HMS SAFEGUARD

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 SAFEGUARD

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