RAYLIGHT - South Coast

The *Raylight* is a proper South Coast wreck dive, a piece of maritime history sitting in deep water. This motor vessel went down in a gale back in '78 after losing her hatch boards, a real testament to the power of the sea. She’s not massive, 41.8 metres long, but she’s beautifully intact, offering a solid penetration dive for those with the right training. Dropping down, the *Raylight* emerges from the gloom, often cloaked in a thick layer of jewel anemones, a vibrant orange against the steel. We love swimming along her deck, imagining the crew in that storm. Keep an eye out for conger eels peeking from every dark crevice, and big wrasse patrol the superstructure. The stern is our favourite; the propeller is usually visible, and it's a great spot to pause and appreciate the scale of the wreck. This isn’t a dive for beginners, but for experienced wreck divers, it’s a brilliant exploration. Just remember, the visibility can be fickle, so pick your weather window carefully for the best experience.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.637500, -6.591667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

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 RAYLIGHT

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 RAYLIGHT

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