Curious blennies watch you from every crevice. The Nellie was a Dutch trawler that foundered at the Sovereign Islands near Kinsale in the 1960s -- reports on how she was lost are conflicting, with one account blaming a storm on the Liverpool-to-Cork run and another claiming no lives were lost. What's not in dispute is the charm of this dive. At approximately 15 metres on the south side of Big Sovereign island, tilted decks and rusting masts sit in turquoise waters teeming with marine life. Suitable for all grades of diver, this is a lovely wreck to potter around on a short boat trip from Kinsale. The anchor was raised by local divers and now stands at the top of the slip in Oysterhaven, serving as both memorial and a warning to seafarers approaching the rocks.
Dutch trawler that foundered at the Sovereign Islands near Kinsale/Oysterhaven in the 1960s. Reports on the circumstances and loss of life are conflicting. One account states no loss of life; another says the ship was en route from Liverpool to Cork when a huge storm broke and crew members drowned.
The Nellie is a trawler wreck located off Cork, Ireland at a depth of 15 metres. The vessel was lost due to foundering in 1965. The wreck is diveable.
The Nellie lies at approximately 15 metres depth, South side of Big Sovereign island, near Kinsale/Oysterhaven.
The Nellie foundered on 1 January 1965, off Cork, Ireland.
Diving the The Nellie is rated beginner and is suitable for newly certified Open Water divers.
The best months to dive The Nellie are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
The Nellie is accessed by boat from Kinsale, Cork, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.5°C | 7.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 8.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 12.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 15.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 16.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 15.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 9.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 7.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
5 evidence records from 5 sources.
The Nellie wreck at approximately 15m at the Sovereign Islands, accessible from Kinsale.
Dutch trawler on south side of Big Sovereign island. Tilted decks and rusting masts. Anchor raised and displayed at Oysterhaven slip.
The Nellie foundered at the Sovereign Islands. Remains of the Dutch trawler on south side of Big Sovereign at about 15m. Short boat trip from Kinsale.
The Nellie is an attraction for divers drawn to tilted decks and rusting masts in the turquoise depths. An old anchor at Oysterhaven Pier tells the story of dangerous rocks and warns seafarers to take due care on their approach.
The Nellie: a lovely wreck to potter around, suitable for all grades of divers. Abundance of marine life including curious blennies. Located on south side of Big Sovereign island.
South side of Big Sovereign island, near Kinsale/Oysterhaven