Killiney Bay – HMY Helga Wreck
Site Overview
Killiney Bay holds the HMY Helga (later Muirchú), a vessel scuttled in 1947 and now lying at 10-18 m with intact gunwales, a cannon and abundant macro life. Close to Dublin and easily accessed, it is a classic training wreck for new and developing divers, with conger eels, wrasse and anemones on the structure. The sheltered bay keeps conditions forgiving, making it a practical and historic shore-or-boat dive. 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
"Plan a shallow profile over the wreck and brief on depth and the mild current. Descend to the Helga, control buoyancy to protect the hull, and use a torch in the structure. Watch for boat traffic near the bay, and ascend with a safety stop before a calm exit. 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
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Edible Crab
Cancer pagurus
Best: Year-round
Snakelocks Anemone
Anemonia viridis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic in bay
- Mild current
- Cold water
- Limited visibility
- Slippery entry
- Fragile wreck
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water students and refresher dives wanting an accessible, historic wreck near the city. Suits all levels in calm conditions. 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. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Dublin Dive Centre
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Merrion Hotel
Dublin • 6km away
The Marker Hotel
Dublin • 8km away