BANTRY
Protected Area
Utopia
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) - BANTRY offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Bantry is a proper dive, a deep shot for the south west, resting at 25 metres. We love this wreck for its character, a steamship that went down in 1934, now well broken but still very much a ship. You drop onto the boiler, a good landmark, then follow the run of the deck where the hull has started to fold in on itself. The bow section is the most intact part, standing proud and offering plenty of nooks to poke a torch into. Expect to see conger eels tucked into every dark crevice, often surprisingly large, and plenty of bib flitting through the beams. The visibility here can be decent, especially on a settled day, giving you a chance to appreciate the scale of the wreckage. Our favourite part is the engine room area, where the machinery is still recognisable, a real testament to its build. It’s definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with deeper wrecks and the occasional surge. Pick a neap tide for the best conditions; the currents here can be a bit of a nuisance otherwise.
Typical BANTRY 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 25m - 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.
BANTRY Wreck History
Year Sunk
1934
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
Tonnage
436 GRT
The SS Bantry had a long and varied career before settling on the seabed off the Cornish coast. Built in 1904 by Murdoch & Murray in Glasgow, she served under several names, including Rossbank and Westford, before being named Bantry. By 1934, after three decades of service, the aging steamship was sold for scrap and her final journey began under tow to the breakers' yard.
However, the sea had other plans. On March 25, 1934, a fierce gale struck, and the Bantry broke free from her tow. Helpless against the storm's fury, the old vessel foundered and sank. Today, she lies at a comfortable depth of 25 meters, making her an accessible and popular dive site for a wide range of divers. The wreck is well broken up, with her single boiler standing proud and the compound expansion engine easily identifiable. Divers can explore the scattered plates and machinery, which are now home to a vibrant ecosystem of fish, crabs, and colorful anemones, offering a picturesque end to a long working life.
Nearest Dive Centres to BANTRY
Dive shops near BANTRY
Sussex Diving & Leisure
Mulberry Marine Experiences CIC
Abyss Scuba School
In2 Diving
Ocean View
Andark Diving
Reviews for BANTRY
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BANTRY
BANTRY Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BANTRY, 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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