HMS Audacious - West Coast

The HMS Audacious is a proper diver's wreck, plain and simple. We love that it’s a big chunk of history sitting out there in the Atlantic, a King George V-class dreadnought battleship, sunk back in 1914. It’s deep, which means it asks for experienced hands and good planning, but what you get back is pure exploration. Dropping down, the sheer scale of the Audacious becomes apparent through the gloom. You’ll find massive gun turrets, the deck plating peeled back in places, and the superstructure a jumble of twisted metal. Over a century of currents have sculpted the wreck, and marine life has made it home. Conger eels peer from dark corners, their heads surprisingly large, and schools of pollock flit through the skeletal remains of the deck. Visibility can vary wildly here; aim for a calm spell with a northerly breeze if you can. Our favourite moments are finding the smaller details, like portholes still in place, or feeling the cold, silent history of the place around you. It’s a dive that sticks with you, a proper adventure.

Location: West Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 55.537777, -7.409167
Type: wreck

Marine Protected Area: Inishtrahull SAC

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS Audacious

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 HMS Audacious

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