MOYALLA

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Inner Galway Bay

Why dive here

With 169+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and octopuses - MOYALLA 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 · max 5m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Moyalla isn't a deep dive, sitting in just 5 metres, but what it lacks in depth it more than makes up for in character. This old steamship, built in '27 and sunk in '46, feels like a proper piece of history down there. We love the way the light filters through the kelp, dappling the deck plates and giving everything a muted, emerald glow. You can really get a sense of its past life, tracing the line of the hull for the full 58 metres. For us, the real magic is in the details – the exposed ribs, the scattered plates, and how life has just taken over. You'll spot plenty of wrasse darting in and out of the nooks and crannies, and we've often seen spider crabs scuttling across the deck, completely camouflaged. It’s a site that rewards a slow pace, letting your eyes adjust to the low light. Our tip? Go on a calm day with good visibility. It just transforms the whole experience from a murky exploration into a truly evocative dive. It’s a site for those who appreciate maritime history and the quiet beauty of a wreck reclaimed by the sea.