STEPHEN WHITNEY - South Coast

The Stephen Whitney, a sailing vessel that met its end in 1847, lies scattered across the seabed at 28 meters near West Calf Island. We find that while the wreck itself broke apart quickly, the remnants offer a fascinating if somewhat dispersed dive. You’re looking at debris fields rather than an intact hull, with timbers and cargo spread over a rocky bottom. It’s a site for those who appreciate the history and the gradual reclaiming of man-made structures by the ocean. Expect to see cod, conger eels, and various crustaceans making their homes among the wreckage, particularly in the crevices of the rocks that also dot the site. Visibility can be a bit changeable here, but on a good day, the atmosphere is quite poignant.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.468000, -9.518000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

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 STEPHEN WHITNEY

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 STEPHEN WHITNEY

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