KERICK - South Coast
We’re not going to lie, Kerick is a shallow dive, maxing out at a mere five metres, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a throwaway site. This is a proper wreck, a trawler that went down in 1969, and despite the depth, it still holds a serious amount of character. You’ll find her broken up on the rocks at Brownstown Head, a jumble of twisted metal that tells a story of that storm. What we love about Kerick is how accessible it is, perfect for an extended rummage without constantly checking your NDLs. The wreck itself is pretty colonised now, with anemones clinging to every surface and wrasse darting through the gaps in the hull. Look closely and you’ll spot crabs tucked into the nooks, and we’ve often seen small schools of pollack hanging around the larger sections. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers too, especially on a bright day when the light penetrates right down and picks out the colours. We’d suggest going at high tide for the best visibility and a slightly calmer entry. It’s a prime example of how even a shallow wreck can deliver a truly engaging dive.
- Location
- South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 52.127000, -7.107500
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
Marine Protected Area: Tramore Back Strand 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
- ALFRED D SNOW - 30m (wreck)
- ALISON - 2m (wreck)
- ALIZE - 50m (wreck)
- ALLIANCE II - 4m (wreck)
- ALONDRA - 15m (wreck)
- AMARYLLIS - 45m (wreck)
- ANNE SOPHIE - 0m (wreck)
- ANTONY - 51m (wreck)
- ANTONY - 53m (wreck)
- ARDENT II - 35m (wreck)
- ARY - 25m (wreck)
- ASIAN - 10m (wreck)
- ASTRID - 0m (wreck)
- AUD - 39m (wreck)
- BANDON - 33m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to KERICK
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
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
- whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- long rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides) - Reef Fish
- Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
- megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
- witch (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Spotted Dragonet (Callionymus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Bastard Sole (Microchirus variegatus) - Reef Fish
- sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for KERICK
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