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Shirala

Discover the easily accessible wreck of Shirala, resting at a depth of 24m just off the North East end of the Owers, 8 miles from Selsey in the United Kingdom. Torpedoed in July 1918, this historic site offers an unforgettable diving experience.

Divers exploring this Sussex wreck will encounter an abundance of marine life commonly found in the area. Expect to see Edible Crabs, Lobsters, Shoals of Bib, and Conger Eels, adding to the allure of this fascinating dive.

The 5300 ton Shirala was not just a cargo vessel but also a passenger liner, making it a unique exploration opportunity. Its four holds were filled with a variety of items, including elephant tusks, Dundee marmalade in stone jars, wine, and munitions intended for the Indian Army. While the ivory tusks were salvaged in 1978, the shifting shingle surrounding the wreck may limit the discoveries these days. As you descend, you'll find the bows pointing towards the South, and the stern, which stands at an impressive 8m high, serving as the highest point of the wreck.

With a visibility of 25m and a maximum depth of 15m, this dive is best suited for advanced and expert divers seeking a thrilling underwater adventure. Located in England, this close-to-shore dive site promises a memorable immersion into history and marine wonders.

Diving Conditions Score for Shirala

6.3
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Shirala

Depth

15m

Visibility

25m

Experience Level

advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for Shirala

Wave Height

0.26m

Wind Speed

23 m/s

Water Temp

19.5°C

Visibility

37.82km

Cloud Cover

84%

Wave Period

6.25s

Air Temperature

18.2°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Shirala
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Shirala

Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 8.208702290076335/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.26m, Wind 4.3 m/s.Best night dive time: 2:00 with score 7.29487922705314/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Shirala: 06:00
Sunset at Shirala: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Shirala are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
15:00

Score: 8.2/10
Waves: 0.26m (6.55s), Wind: 4.3 m/s

🌙
Best Night
2:00

Score: 7.3/10
Waves: 0.44m, Wind: 12.2 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Shirala
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Shirala

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Shirala

Winter

Avg. Score: 10.0/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Shirala

January
Score: 10.0
February
Score: 10.0
December
Score: 9.9

Ideal Conditions for Shirala

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

25.1°C / 77.2°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

20.1m / 65.9ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.2m / 0.7ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Shirala

Shirala shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (25.1°C) and December the coldest (21.1°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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