AILSA
Protected Area
Portmuck
Why dive here
With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - AILSA offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.
The *Ailsa*, a steamship that ran aground in 1892, now sits just a metre or so below the surface north of Muck Island. This isn’t a deep dive, obviously, more of a snorkel or a very shallow potter, but it’s still a genuinely engaging piece of history. What’s left of the hull spreads out on the seabed, all barnacle-encrusted metal and dark shapes, making a home for small crabs and blennies tucked into crevices. It’s a site that really makes you think about the power of the sea, even in such shallow water.
Typical AILSA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Reviews for AILSA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AILSA
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