Old Head of Kinsale - South Coast

The Old Head of Kinsale isn't just a dive; it's a dive into history, right near where the Lusitania went down. We're talking proper Irish wreck diving here, a little silty, a little mysterious, and absolutely brilliant for it. The main attraction is the wreck itself, spread across a seabed that generally sits around 20-25 metres, though you can drop to 30m if you follow some of the deeper debris. You'll spend most of your time exploring the broken sections of hull, the twisted metal beams, and what’s left of the ship’s structure. It’s an intermediate dive, definitely not for your first time out, as currents can pick up and visibility can be variable. We’ve had days where it’s a murky 5 metres, and others where it opens up to a good 15, letting you really appreciate the scale. Inside the wreck, or what’s left of it, there are jewel anemones absolutely coating the darker corners, glowing like tiny stained-glass windows. Look out for the common pipefish weaving through the kelp that grows on the higher sections, and we often spot Norway lobsters scuttling away into crevices. This site is our pick for divers who love to feel the weight of history, who don't mind a bit of a challenge, and who get a real kick out of seeing nature reclaiming something man-made.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.600000, -8.540000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10-30m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Old Head of Kinsale 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 Old Head of Kinsale

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 Old Head of Kinsale

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