NBM Dive Site Resource
HMS Audacious (1912)
Malin Head (offshore), County Donegal, Ireland
Technical dive only. HMS Audacious is a King George V-class dreadnought battleship lying inverted off northwest Donegal in approximately 58–68 m (190–223 ft). She struck a German mine on 27 October 1914 and later capsized and exploded. The wreck’s enormous hull, propellers, rudders and detached 13.5-inch gun turret make it one of the signature deep wreck dives of the Malin Head area.
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Historic Photograph
Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Published reference location
Location map
The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
Massive inverted dreadnought hull; large propellers and rudders; detached and overturned turret with twin 13.5-inch gun barrels; major First World War naval history. RMS Olympic assisted the evacuation and attempted to tow the damaged ship.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
- Vessel type
- King George V-class dreadnought battleship
Before you arrive
Access notes
Remote offshore boat access from the Donegal/Malin Head area. Confirm the exact position, depth, tidal window, currents, gas requirements, decompression support, emergency oxygen and evacuation plan with a qualified local technical operator. Coordinates are a published wreck reference and are not a navigation or shot-placement instruction. Respect the wreck as historic naval heritage; do not disturb wreckage, munitions or remains.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Extreme depth with mandatory decompression; strong or changing current; cold water; remote Atlantic weather; limited bottom time; possible entanglement, sharp and unstable wreckage, enclosed overhead spaces and unexploded ordnance. Mixed-gas planning, redundant equipment and capable surface support are required. No penetration is authorized by this profile.
At the site
Facilities and support
No facilities at the wreck. Charter vessel, breathing gases, emergency oxygen, communications and shore support must be arranged and confirmed in advance.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.