OCEAN SEARCHER - South Coast

The *Ocean Searcher* isn't a deep dive, which is part of its charm. This old trawler, just 26 metres long, went down in a gale in 1975 and ended up on Tramore Strand. We love that it’s right there, accessible, a great option when the weather kicks up and forces us off the deeper stuff. When the tide is right, you're looking at a shallow dive, sometimes only a few metres. The wreck itself is broken, twisted metal, a testament to the storm that put it there. You can still make out the bow, the stern, and parts of the wheelhouse structure, now heavily encrusted. The light penetration is excellent, so colours pop, particularly the vivid greens of the kelp and anemones that cling to every surface. We've seen some surprisingly large pollack sheltering in the ribs of the hull, and schools of juvenile coalfish darting through the wreckage. It’s a site that changes with the seasons and the shifting sands. We’d suggest a dive at high slack tide for the calmest conditions, giving you more time to pick through the debris and imagine the trawler in its working life. It's a dive that tells a story, perfect for those who appreciate maritime history and don't mind a bit of a rumble with the surge.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
52.150000, -7.100000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

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

Nearest Dive Centres to OCEAN SEARCHER

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 OCEAN SEARCHER

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