MARY EILEEN

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Three Castle Head to Mizen Head 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) - MARY EILEEN 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 41m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Mary Eileen. We’re going to be honest, it’s not the biggest wreck you’ll ever dive, but we absolutely love it. At 9.8 metres, it’s a compact fishing vessel, deliberately sunk in 2004 as an artificial reef. You’ll find it sitting upright, fairly intact, at 41 metres. That depth means it’s definitely one for the more experienced diver, but if you’re comfortable with decompression, it offers a really rewarding dive. The GRP hull has held up well, providing plenty of nooks and crannies for life to settle in. Swim around the bow and you’ll often spot conger eels peeking out from beneath plates, their heads swaying gently in the current. On the deck, we’ve seen impressive plumose anemones, their white tentacles reaching out, looking almost like feathery flowers. Keep an eye out for dogfish cruising around the stern, and even the occasional monkfish camouflaged on the surrounding seabed if you have time for a slow perimeter swim. Our favourite time to dive it is on a calm day with good visibility, as the light penetrates the shallower parts of the wreck, bringing out the colours of the anemones and soft corals. It’s a great site for a longer bottom time, allowing you to really soak in the details.