CARRAIG UNA
Protected Area
Rathlin O'Birne Island SPA
Why dive here
With 169+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and octopuses - CARRAIG UNA offers some of West Coast's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 9°C.
Carraig Una isn't a dive you just drop onto; it’s a site that demands respect and a good bit of planning. Lost with all five hands in 1976, this 21-metre trawler sits exposed on a rocky seabed near a small island off the West Coast. We find the site best dived during slack tide, particularly around neaps, when the surge isn't trying to pull you into the open Atlantic. You'll often find the visibility here can be a bit of a lottery. On a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering through, the wreck feels incredibly atmospheric. You can make out the lines of the hull, parts of the wheelhouse, and what looks like a winch. It’s covered in dahlia anemones and dead man’s fingers, all those cold water corals that just burst with colour when you hit them with a torch. Conger eels definitely call this home, tucked into every nook and cranny, and we’ve spotted plenty of inquisitive wrasse nosing around the debris field. This is a dive for those who appreciate the history as much as the marine life, a thoughtful exploration rather than a frantic wildlife chase. It’s a somber site, but truly a rewarding one for experienced divers comfortable with unpredictable conditions.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 9°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
CARRAIG UNA Wreck History
Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
50 GRT
The story of the Carraig Una is a modern maritime tragedy that remains etched in the memory of the local community. On November 23, 1976, the 21-meter wooden trawler departed from Burtonport, County Donegal, with its crew of five and never returned. A search was launched, and wreckage was later found near an island off the coast, confirming the worst fears: the vessel had struck rocks in heavy seas and was lost with all hands. The wreck site, at a depth of 0 meters, is not a traditional dive but a somber memorial scattered in the shallows and surf zone. For those exploring the rugged Donegal coastline, the remains of the Carraig Una serve as a poignant reminder of the power of the sea and the risks faced by those who make their living from it.
Reviews for CARRAIG UNA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CARRAIG UNA
CARRAIG UNA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CARRAIG UNA, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (52.9, -9.67) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
8.91°C
48°F
Air Temperature
15.94°C
61°F
Wind Speed
7.4 m/s
14.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.6 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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