ZORROZAURE - South Coast

Zorrozaure. A name that just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? This isn't your typical Irish wreck dive, and we love it for that. She's a steel-hulled fishing vessel, gone down in 2000, sitting upright at a mere seven metres. That shallow depth means incredible light penetration on a good day, painting the wreck in shifting shades of green and blue. We’ve spent hours poking around her. You can fin right over the wheelhouse, seeing the ghostly outlines of the controls. Down on the deck, the fishing gear is still largely in place, nets draped like discarded cobwebs, and the huge winches loom. It’s a site that feels immediate, almost like the crew just stepped off. Look for conger eels tucked into the darker corners, their heads peering out, and we’ve often found dogfish resting on the sand nearby, almost camouflaged. The sheer volume of fish sheltering within her structure is impressive, particularly the pollack and coalfish darting through the skeletal remains. Because she’s so shallow, it’s a site we’d recommend for extended bottom times, perfect for photographers or those just wanting to soak in the atmosphere. Go at high slack for the calmest conditions, though the visibility can vary wildly here depending on the tides and recent weather.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.655180, -9.748683
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Marine Protected Area: Farranamanagh Lough 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 ZORROZAURE

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 ZORROZAURE

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