wreck

Log This Dive

HMS SNAEFELL (PROBABLY)

The HMS Snaefell, or what we strongly suspect is her, offers a proper deep wreck dive off the Scottish East Coast. Dropping to 50 metres, it’s a site for experienced divers comfortable with depth and colder conditions. We love the sheer scale of her; a paddle steamer, which isn't something you come across every day. You hit the deck at around 45 metres, and there’s a surprising amount still intact given the years she’s been down. We’ve found the huge paddle wheels are always the draw, still standing proud, heavily encrusted with plumose anemones that sway in the gentle surge. Look for the small conger eels tucked into crevices, their heads poking out from the shadows. Penetration isn't really an option here, but finning around the superstructure, imagining her steaming into port, is exploration enough. It’s a quiet, atmospheric dive, often with good visibility that lets you appreciate the ship’s length stretching into the gloom. Our tip? Go on a slack tide and bring plenty of light; the deeper sections absorb a lot of ambient light, and a good torch really makes the colours pop.