JOAN PATRICIA

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Lough Hyne Nature Reserve and Environs 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) - JOAN PATRICIA offers some of South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 9-15°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeYear-round

WetsuitA drysuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 185+ species recorded

Water9-15°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 20m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Joan Patricia is a cracking little wreck, and we always enjoy a visit when we’re on the South Coast. It’s a fishing vessel, went down in '83 after fouling her propeller on the Stags, a real shame. At just 18.5 metres long, it’s a compact dive, sitting upright in about 20 metres of water. We think it’s perfect for a solid hour of exploration without needing to rush. What makes it special for us is how much character she still holds. You can clearly make out the stern and bow, and the wheelhouse is still largely intact. We love finning through the open cargo hold, imagining the catch she might have held. Look closely at the deck plating and superstructure; it’s covered in jewel anemones and dead man's fingers, a real splash of colour against the rusted steel. Conger eels are often tucked into any crevice you can find, and we’ve spotted a few inquisitive cuckoo wrasse darting in and out of the wreckage. It’s a brilliant site for those who appreciate maritime history and enjoy a wreck that’s been thoroughly colonised by marine life, rather than just a pile of debris.