Lusitania Wreck (off Old Head of Kinsale)
Site Overview
The Lusitania is one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world, the 240 m Cunard liner torpedoed in 1915 and now lying at 87-93 m off the Old Head of Kinsale. Intact but deteriorating, the great hull still draws conger eels and pollack and carries enormous historical weight. This is an extreme technical dive requiring trimix, decompression gas and a dedicated expedition, fully exposed to the Atlantic and restricted in access. For qualified technical divers it is a profound, once-in-a-lifetime wreck. 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
"Run a full technical briefing with gas mixes, deco plan and lost-buddy procedures. Descend on shotline to the hull at 87-93 m, limit bottom time strictly, and ascend with planned decompression stops. The boat must hold position in any residual current, and a Chamber/DP contingency is mandatory. Respect the war grave status and do not disturb the 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
Sunfish
Mola mola
Best: July, August
Red Bream
Pagellus bogaraveo
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Extreme depth (87-93 m)
- Strong currents
- Decompression obligation
- Technical trimix required
- Exposure and swell
- Restricted site
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Exclusively for experienced technical divers certified to trimix depths with decompression training and a support team. It is not for recreational divers under any circumstances. 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
- Lusitania Technical Expeditions
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ballylickey Manor House
Bantry • 20km away
The Maritime Hotel
Bantry • 5km away