Kowloon Bridge Wreck (Kinsale)
Site Overview
The Kowloon Bridge is a 294 m bulk carrier and the largest shipwreck in the world reachable at recreational depth, lying at 15-38 m off Kinsale. Its enormous hull, decks and superstructure host huge conger eels, pollack, spider crabs and anemones, making it a spectacular advanced dive. The sheer scale can be disorienting, so a guide and good navigation are important, but the experience of swimming along a wreck the size of a skyscraper is unforgettable. 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 the layout and a navigation plan around the vast hull. Descend the shotline and follow a section of the wreck, controlling buoyancy to avoid stirring silt. The moderate current and depth require attention to gas and a safety stop; a torch helps in the structure. Stay with the group given the size and potential for disorientation. 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
Spider Crab
Maja squinado
Best: Year-round
Wolffish
Anarhichas lupus
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Massive structure disorientation
- Moderate current
- Depth (to 38 m)
- Cold water
- Exposure and swell
- Fragile life
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers comfortable to 38 m with good buoyancy and navigation. The shallowest parts suit confident 18 m divers, but the full wreck demands more experience. 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
- Kinsale Wreck Diving
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ballylickey Manor House
Bantry • 20km away
The Maritime Hotel
Bantry • 5km away