Fanad Head & Laurentic Wreck
Site Overview
The Laurentic was a White Star liner sunk off Fanad Head in 1917 with a famous gold-bullion cargo, now lying at 30-45 m as an advanced to technical dive rich in history and life. Conger eels, pollack and anemones cover the hull, and the clear Lough Swilly water adds to the spectacle. Reached by boat from Fanad, it is one of Ireland’s most storied wrecks for suitably certified divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers.
Dive Briefing
"Brief on gas, depth and the layout of the liner. Descend the shotline to the hull at 30-45 m, swim along the deck, and monitor bottom time for decompression. The current can build, so stay close to the shotline on ascent and complete staged stops. A torch reveals the detail on the intact structure. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Wolffish
Anarhichas lupus
Best: Year-round
Red Bream
Pagellus bogaraveo
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Depth (30-45 m)
- Moderate current
- Decompression at depth
- Cold water
- Exposure and swell
- Fragile wreck
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced to technical divers comfortable at 45 m with decompression procedures. A must for wreck enthusiasts drawn to its gold-bullion history. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Fanad Technical Diving
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan • 5km away
McGrorys Hotel
Buncrana • 10km away