Warahnus - Raja Ampat

The Alondra. Even the name sounds a bit tragic, doesn’t it? This wreck, sitting upright on the seabed off the South Coast, is a proper chunk of history to explore. We love how the superstructure is still largely intact, offering swim-throughs and penetrations that feel genuinely exciting without being overly challenging. You’ll find schools of pollack hanging in the shelter of the bow, and often a decent conger eel or two peeking out from a darkened hold. Visibility here can be a bit of a gamble, as with much of Ireland, but on a good day, the light filtering down through the kelp-draped rigging is something special. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents can pick up, making it a bit of a workout. For divers who appreciate a wreck with a story you can literally swim through, rather than just look at, the Alondra is our pick. It suits those with a bit of wreck diving experience, comfortable in colder water, who enjoy the atmospheric feel of an old ship reclaiming its place on the seabed.

Location
Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-0.565200, 130.663900
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Warahnus

Year Sunk
1916
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The SS Alondra was a steamship built in 1899, operated by the Yeoward Brothers' shipping line out of Liverpool. For years she plied the trade routes, a workhorse of the British merchant fleet. Her career came to a tragic and abrupt end during the height of World War I, not from enemy action, but from the raw power of the sea itself.

On December 29, 1916, while battling the fierce winter seas of the North Atlantic, the Alondra was driven aground on the treacherous Kedge Rock, near Baltimore in County Cork. The ship was battered by the waves and broke apart, leading to the loss of seventeen crew members in the icy water. In a testament to the bravery of the local community and surviving crew, twenty-three men were rescued from the disaster.

Lying in just 15 meters of water, the remains of the Alondra are now a fascinating and accessible dive site. The shallow depth and the violence of its sinking mean the wreck is extensively broken up, scattered across the seabed. Divers can easily identify the ship's massive boilers and the triple-expansion engine, which stand proud of the wreckage. Exploring the scattered plates and machinery offers a poignant reminder of the 1916 tragedy and provides a superb habitat for the vibrant marine life of Ireland's south coast.

Marine Protected Area: TAMAN WISATA PERAIRAN KEPULAUAN RAJA AMPAT

Best Time to Dive in Raja Ampat

The warmest water temperatures in Raja Ampat occur in November, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in July at 29.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.7°C
  • February: 29.4°C
  • March: 29.6°C
  • April: 29.9°C
  • May: 29.9°C
  • June: 29.7°C
  • July: 29.3°C
  • August: 29.4°C
  • September: 29.6°C
  • October: 30.0°C
  • November: 30.3°C
  • December: 30.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Raja Ampat

Nearest Dive Centres to Warahnus

Marine Life in Raja Ampat

Home to 250 recorded species including 176 reef fish, 43 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 5 sea cucumbers, 4 clams & mussels, 4 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Warahnus

Based on average water temperature of 29.7°C, currents 20 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories