ARIZONA

Protected Area

Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - ARIZONA offers some of Scottish East Coast & Borders's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 18m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Arizona, off the Scottish East Coast, is one of our favourite wartime wrecks. It’s not about grand scale or huge depth here, but the sheer intactness for a wreck that met a mine in 1940. You drop down to 18 metres and there she is, largely upright, a really tangible piece of history. We’ve spent many dives just tracing her decks, peering into what would have been cargo holds. The bow is particularly striking, often draped in kelp that sways with the gentle current. This isn’t a site for pelagics, but the smaller stuff absolutely thrives. Expect to find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices, nudibranchs slowly making their way across the hull plating, and often some decent-sized cod sheltering in the deeper sections. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration and a good torch, letting you appreciate the details of her structure. The Arizona is perfect for divers who appreciate history and enjoy the quiet observation of marine life making a home on something man-made.

Typical ARIZONA 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.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3517:2310h 48m daylightGolden hour 16:32

ARIZONA Wreck History

Year Sunk

1940

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

mine

Tonnage

457 GRT

The MV Arizona was a small British motor coaster, built just a year before her demise in 1939. At just under 44 meters in length, she was designed for the coastal trade, transporting vital goods like coal between the ports of the United Kingdom. As World War II raged, these small, unassuming vessels played a critical role in the war effort, but faced constant danger from enemy action in British waters.

On September 29, 1940, the Arizona was on a routine passage from Methil and Blyth, bound for Bridgewater with a full cargo of coal. While navigating the waters off the ruggedly beautiful St Abbs Head, she had a fatal encounter with a German-laid magnetic mine. The powerful explosion tore through the ship's hull, and she sank quickly, taking three of her crew with her to the bottom of the North Sea.

Lying at a comfortable depth of 18 meters, the Arizona is now a popular and much-loved wreck dive within the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve. The wreck is broken but still recognizable, with her stern section being the most intact part. She is completely covered in a spectacular carpet of plumose anemones, soft corals, and dead man's fingers. The abundant marine life, including wolf-fish, conger eels, and large shoals of bib, makes this a vibrant and picturesque dive that beautifully combines wartime history with Scotland's rich underwater ecology.