WOODCOCK - Scottish East Coast & Borders

The Woodcock sits in such shallow water, it’s almost more of a snorkel than a dive, but that’s precisely why we love it. At just 3 metres, it’s a brilliant training spot or an easy second dive, perfect for just kicking back and enjoying the peace. We often head here for a relaxed afternoon, especially if we’ve had a more challenging morning dive. This 14.6m launch vessel, mysteriously sunk with no reported cause, is surprisingly intact for its age and depth. You can make out the bow and stern sections quite clearly, and the hull forms a decent shelter for small critters. We’ve spent many an hour poking around the wreckage, finding everything from tiny blennies peeking out of crevices to inquisitive velvet swimming crabs scuttling over the plates. It’s also a fantastic spot for nudibranchs if you slow down and really look closely. The light penetration is incredible, illuminating the rust-coloured metal and the fronds of kelp swaying gently above it. Our favourite time to dive it is late afternoon, when the sun dips lower, casting long shadows and really highlighting the wreck's structure.

Location

Scottish East Coast & Borders, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

54.986755, -1.501601

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

3m

Marine Protected Area: The Kittiwake Tower