MAGGIE B - South Coast

The Maggie B, formerly the Gilsea, sits upright at 45 metres off the South Coast of Ireland, a fishing vessel built in 1989. For us, this wreck is pure exploration. We love dropping down onto her, seeing the trawler’s stern, the propeller still there, and the wheelhouse surprisingly intact. There's a real sense of history, a quiet echo of her working life before she went down. She's not a massive wreck at 15.8m, but the compact nature makes for a rewarding dive. We often find conger eels peering from the deeper recesses of the engine room, and the deck, now draped in soft corals, is a favourite hangout for squat lobsters. It's a deep dive, no doubt, so suitable for experienced wreckies with appropriate training and gas. You'll want to be on your game for this one, but the visibility here can be surprisingly good, sometimes 15 metres, which really lets you take in the whole scene. Our tip: aim for a slack tide; the currents here can be lively.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
52.045450, -6.947133
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

Marine Protected Area: Hook 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 MAGGIE B

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 MAGGIE B

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