WILLIAM MARTIN - South Coast

The William Martin is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. Lying at 59 metres, she’s a deep dive and definitely one for experienced technical divers, but what a reward. This sailing vessel, torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1917, is surprisingly intact for her age and depth. We love tracing the lines of her hull, imagining her final moments, and feeling that palpable sense of history down there. What really gets us about the William Martin, though, isn't just the history. It's how life has reclaimed her. The deck is a riot of jewel anemones, vivid orange and pink against the aged timber. Look closely and you’ll spot conger eels peering from dark recesses, their thick bodies coiled within the broken plating. Ling often hang around the stern, massive and curious, while smaller wrasse flit through the rigging. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss on the South Coast, but when it’s good, the sheer scale of the wreck, silhouetted against the filtered light, is genuinely humbling. Our best dives here have always been on a slack tide, giving us plenty of time to really soak it all in.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.798668, -7.770834
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

Marine Protected Area: Baile Mhac Óda

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 WILLIAM MARTIN

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 WILLIAM MARTIN

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