AROSA - West Coast
The AROSA, a 35.8-meter fishing vessel, rests at 40 meters after running aground on Doonguddle Rock in 2000. It's a sombre site, given the history, but it’s an intriguing dive. We find the wheelhouse usually intact enough for a quick look inside, and the trawler gear, winches and nets, are still visible, draped over the deck. Look for conger eels peering from the darker corners and plenty of wrasse darting in and out of the superstructure. It's a deep dive, really for experienced divers comfortable with limited visibility and colder temperatures, but the structure itself offers plenty to explore for those who take their time.
- Location
- West Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 53.253666, -9.984167
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 40m
Marine Protected Area: Slyne Head to Ardmore Point Islands SPA
Best Time to Dive in West Coast
The warmest water temperatures in West Coast occur in January, averaging 8.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.9°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 8.9°C (air: 7.2°C)
- February: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
- March: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
- April: 8.9°C (air: 9.8°C)
- May: 8.9°C (air: 12.0°C)
- June: 8.9°C (air: 14.2°C)
- July: 8.9°C (air: 15.2°C)
- August: 8.9°C (air: 15.9°C)
- September: 8.9°C (air: 14.8°C)
- October: 8.9°C (air: 12.4°C)
- November: 8.9°C (air: 10.3°C)
- December: 8.9°C (air: 8.1°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in West Coast
- Alain Dominique Wreck - 14m (wreck)
- ANGMERING - 5m (wreck)
- Aran Islands - 10-35m (wall)
- Aughnish Drift (drift)
- Back of Lime Rock - 32m (wall)
- BARRISTER - 0m (wreck)
- Biraghty Mor - 33m
- Bridges of Ross - 19m (reef)
- Carraig Cois Ceim
- CARRAIG UNA - 0m (wreck)
- Chimney Bay - 18m (pinnacle)
- Coral Beach (reef)
- CRETEBOOM - 0m (wreck)
- C S PARNELL - 6m (wreck)
- Donegal Point - 21m (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to AROSA
- Dive Aran - SSI
- Kilkee Dive Centre - SSI
Marine Life in West Coast
Home to 183 recorded species including 86 reef fish, 20 sharks & rays, 15 whales & dolphins, 12 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 8 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
- Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
- Angler (Lophius piscatorius) - Reef Fish
- dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
- Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
- sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
- Bastard Sole (Microchirus variegatus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for AROSA
Based on average water temperature of 8.9°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