CARRAIG UNA - West Coast

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.

Location
West Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.661667, -8.825666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - CARRAIG UNA

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.

Marine Protected Area: Rathlin O'Birne Island 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

Nearest Dive Centres to CARRAIG UNA

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 CARRAIG UNA

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