wreck

Log This Dive

TOURMALET

The Tourmalet is one of those wrecks we find ourselves thinking about long after the dive. It’s an old trawler, down since 1972, and while she’s not huge, she’s got real character. We usually drop onto the stern, around the prop, and work our way forward. The deck gear is still largely intact, which always makes for interesting navigating – you’re ducking under winches and picking your way through collapsed sections of superstructure. What we really love about the Tourmalet is the life that’s colonised her. The hull is a tapestry of jewel anemones, brilliant orange and purple against the dark steel. We’ve regularly spotted conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses, and the open deck is often swarming with pollack and coalfish. It’s a site that really rewards a slower pace, letting your eyes adjust to the gloom and revealing the smaller creatures hiding in plain sight. This wreck suits divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a chill; it’s a proper Irish dive, rewarding those who take their time.