IBERIAN - South Coast

The Iberian is a proper piece of history, just south of Bird Island. We love a wreck with a story, and this one, a steamship that ran aground in thick weather back in 1885, definitely has one. It’s sitting in about 20 metres, so it’s well within recreational limits, making it pretty accessible for most divers. When you drop down, you’re not looking at a perfectly intact ship, especially after it broke up in a storm a year after sinking. Instead, you’ll find sections of hull plates, ribs, and machinery spread across the seabed. It’s less about penetration here and more about exploring the debris field. We’ve often seen conger eels poking out from beneath the larger plates, and the current can sometimes bring in shoals of pollack. The visibility can be typical for the South Coast, ranging from a murky 5 metres to a decent 15 on a good day, so pick your weather window carefully. It’s a dive that rewards patience and a keen eye for detail, imagining the sheer scale of the ship that once was.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.512165, -9.775500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Marine Protected Area: Three Castle Head to Mizen 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 IBERIAN

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 IBERIAN

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