TRAFFORD - South Coast

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.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
52.015335, -6.955000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: Hook Head 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 TRAFFORD

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 TRAFFORD

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