H M S Martin Wreck

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Kilkee Reefs SAC

Why dive here

With 169+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and octopuses - H M S Martin Wreck offers some of West Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-17°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Aug

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Octopuses · 169+ species recorded

Water8-17°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The H M S Martin isn't just another lump of metal on the seabed. She’s a proper war grave, a destroyer sunk by a U-boat in 1942, and diving her feels like stepping into history. We've always been drawn to wrecks with a story, and this one delivers in spades, even if the visibility can be a bit challenging, typical for the Irish west coast. Dropping down, the sheer scale of her hits you first. She's broken in places, but you can still make out the torpedo tubes and gun mounts. It’s a somber dive, but also one of immense fascination, imagining the chaos of her final moments. Our favourite part is exploring the stern section; the prop shaft is still visible, a powerful reminder of her propulsion. You'll find plenty of resident conger eels, some absolutely massive, peering out from every crevice, and the odd lobster scuttling across the plates. This isn't a dive for the inexperienced or faint of heart due to potential currents and the depth, but for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate maritime history, the Martin is a compelling experience. Go on a slack tide for the best chance to really soak it all in.