Skerries – The Wreck of the Bolivar
Site Overview
Skerries holds several small coastal wrecks including the Bolivar (also known as St. Patrick), scattered in shallow water with abundant macro life, crabs and lobsters. Gentle and easily accessed north of Dublin, it is a practical training and photography site with a bit of history. The modest visibility is offset by easy logistics and reliable critters. 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 structure, control buoyancy to protect the bottom, and use a torch for the small life. Watch for boat traffic near the harbour, 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
Edible Crab
Cancer pagurus
Best: Year-round
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Flounder
Platichthys flesus
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic
- Mild current
- Cold water
- Limited visibility
- Slippery entry
- Fragile wreck
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to open-water students and refresher dives wanting accessible wrecks and macro near the city. A good relaxed second dive. 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
- Skerries Dive Club
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Merrion Hotel
Dublin • 6km away
The Marker Hotel
Dublin • 8km away