APERITIF 3 - Scottish West Coast

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.

Location
Scottish West Coast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.498154, -6.286004
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - APERITIF 3

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.

Marine Protected Area: Treshnish Isles

Nearby Dive Sites in Scottish West Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to APERITIF 3

Marine Life in Scottish West Coast

Home to 127 recorded species including 50 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 sharks & rays, 8 other, 7 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species