AEOLIAN SKY
Protected Area
Studland to Portland
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - AEOLIAN SKY offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The *Aeolian Sky* is one of those wrecks that just keeps giving. We’ve spent countless hours on her, and there’s always something new to catch our eye, even if it’s just a different angle of light hitting the bridge. She’s big, 149 metres long, and lies on her starboard side at 29 metres, broken into three distinct sections after her collision and subsequent sinking in 1979. Our favourite part is definitely the stern. The propellers are still there, massive and barnacle-encrusted, and the sheer scale of them really hits you as you descend. Inside, the engine room is a proper penetration dive, dark and silty, but worth it for the sense of being deep inside a piece of history. You’ll find conger eels lurking in every nook and cranny, and often see pollock darting through the superstructure. The bow section, though more collapsed, still offers some interesting swim-throughs, especially for divers comfortable navigating tight spaces. We’d suggest diving this one at slack tide – the currents here can be fierce, making for a challenging dive if you misjudge it. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers, no doubt, but incredibly rewarding for those who take the time to explore her properly.
Typical AEOLIAN SKY Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 29m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
AEOLIAN SKY Wreck History
Year Sunk
1979
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
10,715 GRT
The Aeolian Sky had a remarkably short and dramatic life. This modern, 10,715-ton Greek-run freighter was built in 1978 and sank just over a year later. In the early hours of November 4th, 1979, while navigating dense fog in the English Channel on a voyage to Dar-es-Salaam, she collided with the German cargo ship Anna Knueppel. The collision tore a large gash in her bow, and a major rescue and salvage operation was immediately launched.
The crew was safely evacuated, and a tug attempted to tow the stricken vessel to the safety of Portland Harbour. However, the ship was battered by a storm, and with her diverse cargo shifting, the towline parted. The Aeolian Sky capsized and sank 12 miles off the coast of Dorset. Her cargo was notorious, including hazardous chemicals, Land Rovers, and over a million pounds' worth of Seychelles currency, which washed up on local beaches for years afterwards.
Lying on her port side at a maximum depth of 29 meters, the Aeolian Sky is now one of the most popular wrecks on the south coast. The 147-meter vessel is broken into sections, with the bow and stern remaining largely intact. Divers can explore the holds, see the remains of her cargo, and navigate the twisted superstructure. The wreck is a thriving artificial reef, home to conger eels, lobsters, and vast shoals of bib.
Nearest Dive Centres to AEOLIAN SKY
Dive shops near AEOLIAN SKY
Divers Down
Dive Beyond Limited
Old Harbour Dive Centre
Mayim Mermaid Academy
Dorset Diving Services
TAL Scuba Ltd.
Reviews for AEOLIAN SKY
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AEOLIAN SKY
AEOLIAN SKY Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for AEOLIAN SKY, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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