U-260 U-boat Wreck (Kinsale)
Site Overview
The U-260 is a German Type VIIC U-boat scuttled in 1945 and resting at 40-45 m off Kinsale, one of the best-preserved submarine dives in Europe. Its hull is fully intact, with the periscope, conning tower and propellers clearly recognisable, encrusted in anemones and patrolled by conger eels and pollack. This advanced to technical dive is a highlight of the Cork coast, blending wartime history with superb cold-water life in a manageable depth band for suitably certified 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 gas, depth and the layout of the boat. Descend the shotline to the hull at 40-45 m, swim along the deck noting the periscope and props, and monitor bottom time for decompression. The current can build, so stay close to the shotline on ascent and complete staged stops. A torch reveals the detail on the intact 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
Red Bream
Pagellus bogaraveo
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Depth (40-45 m)
- Moderate to strong current
- Decompression at depth
- Cold water
- Exposure and swell
- Fragile wreck
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with deep certification or technical divers, comfortable at 45 m with decompression procedures. It is a must for wreck enthusiasts who can handle current and cold. 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 Technical Diving
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ballylickey Manor House
Bantry • 20km away
The Maritime Hotel
Bantry • 5km away