S.S. Hourtien - South Coast

The S.S. Hourtien, just off Ireland’s South Coast, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. We’re still not sure about her full story, but what we do know is she's a fantastic dive. She's broken up quite a bit, but you can still pick out the bow and stern sections, with plenty of scattered wreckage in between. It’s like an underwater junkyard, but in the best possible way. What we really love about the Hourtien is how quickly marine life has adopted her. You’ll find schools of pollack swirling around the superstructure, and if you look closely, especially in the more sheltered areas, you might spot a rogue triggerfish – always a pleasant surprise in these waters. The North Sea tube anemones are especially striking, their tentacles waving gently from every available surface. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, peering into every nook and cranny for crabs, blennies, and the occasional curious squid. For divers who appreciate the history of a wreck and the way nature reclaims man-made structures, the Hourtien is a solid choice. Just be mindful of the currents; they can pick up, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack water if you want to really take your time poking around.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.449986, -9.461404
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Roaringwater Bay and Islands SAC

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 S.S. Hourtien

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 S.S. Hourtien

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