INIS EALGA - South Coast

The INIS EALGA isn't your average trawler wreck. For a start, it’s not huge, just 12.2m long, but it’s sitting upright and mostly intact on a flat seabed at 53m. That’s deep, sure, but it’s what makes this site a real standout for technical divers who appreciate a properly preserved piece of history. We’ve found the wheelhouse still mostly there, and the mast, though collapsed, still adds to the structure. You can fin your way around the deck, feeling the cool current pull slightly, imagining the life it once held. Our favourite thing about the INIS EALGA is the sense of peaceful decay; it’s been down since 1995, long enough for a good layer of life to take hold. You’ll spot plenty of conger eels making homes in the nooks, and we’ve often seen dogfish cruising lazily nearby. Visibility here can be excellent, especially on a calm day with a spring tide runout, giving you that truly dramatic view of the wreck appearing out of the blue. It’s a dive that rewards careful planning and a real appreciation for deep wreck diving.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.850334, -7.650833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Ardmore 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 INIS EALGA

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 INIS EALGA

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