OKEANOS

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Illaunonearaun 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 - OKEANOS 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 2m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Okeanos isn't about depth, that's for sure. At a maximum of two metres, this is truly a snorkel or very shallow breath-hold dive, but don't let the shallowness fool you. We love it for the sheer history of it, right there off the West Coast of Ireland, almost within touching distance. The steamship ran aground in 1947, and she's still very much present, wedged between two rocky ledges. You'll see her plates, some twisted metal, and the ghostly outline of what was once a grand vessel. The triple-expansion engine is still there, too, a real marvel of engineering now slowly dissolving back into the sea. Our favourite part is the way the light plays through the kelp, illuminating patches of the wreck and the small crabs that scuttle over the barnacle-encrusted steel. It's a proper wreck, just scaled down for easy access, and perfect for photographers looking to capture that eerie, atmospheric shot without needing to get deep. This one suits anyone who appreciates a good story with their snorkel.