SS Lugano Wreck (Rathlin)
Site Overview
The SS Lugano is a 1918 wreck lying at 18-30 m off Rathlin Island, a deeper companion to HMS Drake and a rewarding advanced dive in clear Atlantic water. Pollack, wrasse and anemones colonise the hull, and the remote setting adds to the sense of adventure. Reached by boat from the island, it suits divers comfortable to 30 m who want a historic wreck away from the crowds. 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 depth, gas and the current. Descend the shotline to the Lugano, swim along the hull controlling buoyancy, and use a torch in the structure. Monitor bottom time for the 30 m max, ascend with a safety stop, and deploy the DSMB for the boat. Respect the wreck as a war grave. 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
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Depth (to 30 m)
- Moderate current
- Cold water
- Ferry logistics
- Remote location
- Fragile wreck
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers comfortable to 30 m with good buoyancy, who want a deeper historic wreck. Good as a second wreck dive after Drake. 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
- Rathlin Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Bushmills Inn
Bushmills • 8km away
The Salthouse
Ballycastle • 3km away