OTRONTO

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Lough Hyne Nature Reserve and Environs 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) - OTRONTO 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 9m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Otronto isn't a deep dive, sitting at a comfortable 9 metres, which makes it a cracking spot for divers who want to spend some real time exploring without feeling rushed. We love it because it’s a proper little shipwreck, not just a pile of debris. This fishing vessel went down in '92 after hitting The Stags, and it's settled upright, largely intact, which is always a bonus. You can swim around the wheelhouse, peer into the holds, and even spot the propeller, still fixed at the stern. This wreck has become a home for all sorts of local characters. We’ve seen conger eels poking their heads from pipes, lobsters tucked into every crevice, and often, you’ll find small schools of pollock darting around the structure. The visibility can be a bit variable, as it often is on the South Coast, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering down, the green hues here are truly something else. It's a great choice for newer wreck divers or those looking for a relaxed, interesting explore where marine life is practically guaranteed. Our favourite time to dive it is on a calm morning, just after high tide, when the currents are minimal and the light is at its best.