APERITIF 3

Protected Area

Treshnish Isles

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - APERITIF 3 offers some of Scottish West Coast's richest wreck diving.

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

CharacterWreck dive · max 10m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Aperitif 3 isn't your typical pretty wreck dive, but we think it’s a brilliant example of how quickly nature reclaims things in these cold, nutrient-rich waters. This old sailing vessel went down in 1994, and while she’s broken up quite a bit since then, that’s exactly what makes her interesting. You’re not looking at an intact hull here; instead, you’re navigating a fascinating debris field of scattered timbers and metal, all lying in about ten metres of water. What we love about Aperitif 3 is the sheer volume of life that has moved in. Spend some time sifting through the wreckage, and you’ll spot velvet swimming crabs scuttling amongst the planks, their eyes gleaming. The metal sections are encrusted with dense carpets of plumose anemones, often swaying gently in the current, creating a surprisingly colourful scene against the often-grey Scottish backdrop. We’ve found some decent-sized pollack lurking in the deeper crevices, and occasionally a curious common seal will zip by for a quick look. It's a shallow dive, so ideal for anyone wanting to explore a wreck without significant depth considerations, offering a real sense of history and marine reclamation.

Typical APERITIF 3 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.

Today06:4917:3610h 47m daylightGolden hour 16:44

APERITIF 3 Wreck History

Year Sunk

1994

Vessel Type

sailing vessel

Cause

unknown

Little is known about the final voyage of the sailing vessel Aperitif 3. On July 9, 1994, she foundered and sank off the rugged west coast of Scotland, prompting a response from the local Oban lifeboat. Lying in just 10 meters of water, the wreck was exposed to the full force of the sea and has since broken up. For divers, this is not a site for exploring an intact vessel, but rather a shallow dive on a scattered debris field. Its official designation as a 'Dangerous Wreck' serves as a stark reminder to other mariners of the unseen hazards that lie just beneath the waves in these beautiful but often treacherous Scottish waters.