MEMPHIS - South Coast

The Memphis isn't just another lump of metal on the seabed. She’s a proper steamship, 105 metres long, sunk off Mizen Head in 1896. We love that a ship this size, built by Harland & Wolff no less, sits at a very manageable 24 metres. It means you get decent bottom time to really appreciate the scale of her. When we drop in, the sheer size of the Memphis is always the first thing that hits you. Her bow section is quite broken up, but you can still trace the outline of the decks. There’s often a current here, nothing too fierce, but enough to bring in the critters. We usually find conger eels tucked into what’s left of the engine room, and there are always plenty of wrasse darting in and out of the plating. Look for the prop shaft alley, it’s a tight squeeze but worth a peek. Our favourite part has to be the stern, still relatively intact, with the massive rudder and propeller. It’s a photographer’s dream, especially when the light filters down through the plankton bloom. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, seeing that whole structure emerge from the gloom is something else. This site is perfect for anyone keen on genuine wreck exploration, offering history you can touch and a lively ecosystem on the structure itself.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.460500, -9.823833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Marine Protected Area: Three Castle Head to Mizen 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 MEMPHIS

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 MEMPHIS

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