S.S. Illyrian

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. Illyrian 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. Illyrian off Ireland’s South Coast is a real treat, one of our favourite wreck dives in the area. Dropping down, you immediately sense the scale of this steamer. She’s broken, yes, but still very much a ship, not just a pile of plates. We love the swim-throughs in the mid-section; they’re wide enough for comfortable exploration, even with a bit of surge, letting you peek into the old cargo holds. Visibility here can swing a bit, but on a good day, you’ll see the stern post silhouetted against the surface and the deck plating disappear into the gloom. What makes the Illyrian for us is the life she holds. Jewel anemones coat every surface, a riot of colour in the beam of your torch, and you’ll spot a surprising number of Norway lobsters tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for the resident anglerfish, often so well camouflaged you’ll swim right past it until it blinks. This wreck is perfect for divers comfortable with overhead environments and keen on history, with enough space to feel adventurous without being overly technical. It’s a proper dive, one that leaves you wanting another bottom time.