BELFAST

Protected Area

Ardalanish Bay

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) - BELFAST 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Belfast is a proper piece of history, resting upright and largely intact on the seabed. We love the scale of this wreck; 81 metres of iron steamship from 1870, now a dark, imposing silhouette against the grey Scottish light. Descending onto her deck, you can almost hear the echoes of her past, a passage steamer gone down in 1895. For divers who appreciate a substantial wreck with clear features, this is a real treat. You can trace her length, exploring her two massive boilers – always a highlight for us – and the impressive compound expansion engine. The superstructure, while time-worn, still offers plenty of scope for exploration, with gaps and doorways inviting a cautious peek inside. What really brings the Belfast to life are the resident inhabitants: conger eels poke their heads from every crevice, while colourful anemones and dead man’s fingers cling to the iron plates, a soft, vibrant contrast to the stark metal. Visibility here can be variable, as is typical for the west coast, so we’d suggest aiming for a calm spell and mid-tide for the best chance of a clear view. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration and a good torch, unveiling new details on every pass.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today06:4917:3710h 48m daylightGolden hour 16:46

BELFAST Wreck History

Year Sunk

1895

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

The Belfast was an iron-hulled steamship built in 1870, originally sailing under the name Cargago Nova. Owned by T Dixon & Sons at the time of her loss, she met her end on the Scottish West Coast on March 23, 1895. Lying at a depth of 0 meters, the vessel was a total loss after running aground, where the relentless action of waves and weather has since broken her apart. Today, the remains of the Belfast are scattered across the intertidal zone, offering a unique opportunity for exploration. This isn't a traditional scuba dive, but rather a site for snorkelers and beachcombers at low tide. Searching the shallows reveals plates, ribs, and other fragments of this 19th-century steamer, a fascinating historical puzzle waiting to be pieced together by those who walk the shoreline.