Wreck of Alirmay

Protected Area

Cove

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Wreck of Alirmay 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Diving the Alirmay is less about pristine corals and more about history, cold water, and the sheer joy of exploration. We love how the wreck, a converted fishing trawler, sits upright on the seabed, its masts still reaching towards the surface. Drop down and you’re immediately enveloped by the gloom, the North Sea’s famous green tint filtering the light. Inside, the engine room is a highlight, surprisingly intact, with gauges and machinery still visible, encased in a thick layer of plumose anemones. Look closely in the more sheltered areas, and you’ll often spot velvet swimming crabs scuttling over the metalwork, or a curious conger eel peeking from a dark crevice. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the prop is still in place, often attracting schools of coalfish that shimmer in the torchlight. This dive suits experienced cold-water wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the atmosphere and the challenge, rather than those seeking colourful reef fish. It’s a proper expedition, a journey into the past.