Waterford Harbour Wrecks (SS Formby & Great Liverpool)
Site Overview
Waterford Harbour holds a cluster of accessible wrecks including the SS Formby, a 1890s steamer at 15-25 m, and the scattered SS Great Liverpool, both rich in macro life. Crabs, wrasse, conger eels and anemones colonise the hulls, and the sheltered harbour makes for a practical dive close to the city. Visibility is often limited, so a torch and slow approach reveal the best detail on these historic, history-layered sites. 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 the dive around the chosen wreck and brief on depth, the mild current and potential sharp edges. Descend over the sand to the Formby, control buoyancy to protect the bottom, and use a torch in the structure. Watch for boat traffic near the channel, 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
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Best: Year-round
Edible Crab
Cancer pagurus
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Flounder
Platichthys flesus
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic in harbour
- Limited visibility
- Mild current
- Cold water
- Sharp wreck edges
- Slippery entry
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to intermediate divers and training groups who want accessible wrecks and macro without open-coast exposure. A good bad-weather alternative in the region. 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
- Waterford Harbour Diving
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Granville Hotel
Waterford • 5km away
The Dunbrody Country House
Arthurstown • 15km away