TRAFFORD
Protected Area
Hook Head 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) - TRAFFORD offers some of South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 9-15°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Trafford, a steamship sunk in 1915 by U-22 gunfire, is one of those wrecks that just hits differently. It sits upright, a proper ghost ship at 48 metres, about 30 miles southwest of Tuskar Rock. Dropping onto the deck, you’re enveloped by the sheer scale of it, and the cold embrace of the Atlantic really reminds you where you are. We love the way the light filters through the structure, especially on a day when the visibility stretches out. Inside the holds, you’ll find conger eels big as tree trunks, often coiled in the darkness, and our favourite, the shoals of pollock that swirl around the masts like living clouds. The Trafford demands respect for its depth, so this is one for experienced wreck divers comfortable with deco. If you’re into history you can really feel it here, but even just for the incredible atmosphere and marine life, it’s a dive that stays with you.
Typical TRAFFORD Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 48m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 14°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Reviews for TRAFFORD
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for TRAFFORD
TRAFFORD Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for TRAFFORD, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (51.71, -8.38) (9km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
14°C
57°F · Range: 12.3–14.8°C
Air Temperature
12°C
54°F
Wind Speed
7.84 m/s
15.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1008.6 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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