wreck

Log This Dive

KINGFISHER

The Kingfisher, a fishing vessel that went down off the South Coast in 2012, is a wreck we genuinely enjoy diving. It’s not one of those ancient, broken-up sites where you’re guessing what’s what. This is a proper, intact trawler sitting upright on the seabed at 30 metres, an excellent depth for divers with a bit of experience. What makes it so good? Well, the story itself is interesting. A fire broke out forward, the crew abandoned ship, and she just burned herself out before slipping beneath the waves. You can still see the evidence of that fire, especially around the wheelhouse area – it adds a real layer of atmosphere. We love nosing around the deck, dropping into the hold if conditions allow, and generally exploring the bridge. It’s not a huge wreck, so you can take your time and soak it all in. Over the years, the Kingfisher has become home to an incredible amount of life. Ling often peek out from shadowy corners, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large pollack cruising through the superstructure. Conger eels are a given, their heads emerging from pipes and crevices. The growth on the wreck itself, the anemones and soft corals, adds colour to the steel. Visibility here can vary, as it often does in Ireland, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates the green water, it’s a brilliant dive, offering a proper sense of discovery. It’s a site that really rewards careful exploration.