Wreck of Catherina

Protected Area

Whiting Ness - Ethie Haven

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 Catherina 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 Catherina is a proper Scottish wreck dive, none of your Caribbean warmth here, but absolutely worth the chill. We love a wreck that still feels like a wreck, not just a pile of rubble, and the Catherina delivers. Her bow points stubbornly north, often into the current, and you can still make out the lines of her deck, even a mast lying across the seabed. Expect to feel the history here, the cold embrace of the North Sea making you work for your view of the resident wolf fish peeking from shadowy corners. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water, always, to fully appreciate the details and avoid a strenuous fin. It suits divers who appreciate historical sites and aren't afraid of a bit of an adventure, though the conditions can be challenging with strong currents and often limited visibility. Keep an eye out for the plumose anemones waving like ghostly white flowers from every surface.