PATRIARCH

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Dog's Bay 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 - PATRIARCH 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 Patriarch, a 24-meter fishing vessel, rests hard aground on Ireland's west coast, a casualty of a fire back in 2004. It’s an unusual dive, really. Because it burned and drifted ashore, the wreck is now half-submerged, with parts of the hull and superstructure still breaking the surface. This makes for some really interesting light play through the remains of the deck and wheelhouse. You’ll find wrasse darting between rusty beams and anemones clinging to every available surface inside the shallow sections. It’s a compelling explore for those who appreciate wrecks with a bit of a story and don’t mind a shallower dive. We'd suggest checking it out around mid-tide for the best combination of access and underwater visibility around the structure.