S.S. Alondra

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) - S.S. Alondra 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

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The S.S. Alondra isn't for the faint of heart, or for a casual afternoon dip. This is proper wreck diving, Irish style, often with a good push of current and visibility that can swing wildly. But when it’s good, when you hit that slack water just right, it’s an absolute powerhouse. We’ve always been drawn to how completely the sea has reclaimed this cargo steamer. You’ll descend into a world of twisted metal and collapsed decks, where hake lurk in shadowy holds and enormous thornback skates often glide past the bow. What we really love about the Alondra is the sense of history you feel – a vessel slowly dissolving back into the ocean. The engine room is usually our favourite part, with boilers still largely intact, a real magnet for common sea stars and dense clouds of blue mussels. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers, certainly, those who appreciate the challenge and the raw, untamed beauty of a truly submerged artificial reef. Keep an eye on those triggerfish too; they’re surprisingly common here.