S.S. Hourtien

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Roaringwater Bay and Islands 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. Hourtien 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. 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.