BERRY BRETAGNE

Protected Area

Rathlin Island

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) - BERRY BRETAGNE 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 59m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Berry Bretagne is a fantastic wreck, definitely one of our favourites on the Scottish West Coast. It’s a fishing vessel, went down in 1963, and it sits upright on a seabed that gradually slopes to around 59 metres. What we love about it is how intact she still feels, even after all these years. You can follow the lines of the deck, see the winches, and even poke your head into the wheelhouse if you’re comfortable with a bit of overhead. The structure itself is a haven for life. Look for squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, big velvet crabs clambering over the metal, and often schools of saithe swirling around the mast. The visibility here can be superb on a good day, but it’s Scotland, so be ready for a bit of murk. Our tip: go during slack water, it makes navigating the deeper sections much more enjoyable. It’s a site that really rewards careful exploration and suits divers comfortable with colder water and deeper profiles.

Typical BERRY BRETAGNE Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 59m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

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

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

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BERRY BRETAGNE Wreck History

Year Sunk

1963

Vessel Type

fishing vessel

Cause

storm

Tonnage

312 GRT

The Berry Bretagne is a somber and challenging dive that tells a story of tragedy in the unforgiving waters of the North Atlantic. This French fishing trawler, based out of Boulogne, was fishing for cod off the rugged west coast of Scotland's Isle of Lewis in the winter of 1963. On Valentine's Day, the vessel and its 18 crew members were caught in a hurricane-force storm that battered the region.

Despite a desperate final radio message, the Berry Bretagne was overwhelmed by the colossal seas and foundered, sinking with the loss of all hands. The loss was a devastating blow to the tight-knit fishing community back home, and the wreck became a sea grave for the men who perished aboard her. For decades, her exact location remained a mystery, known only to a few local fishermen.

Lying at a depth of 59 meters, the Berry Bretagne is a dive reserved for experienced technical divers. She sits upright on the seabed, remarkably intact despite the violence of her sinking. The nets are still spooled on their drums and the trawl doors are visible, a ghostly testament to her final voyage. It is a poignant and deeply moving dive site, treated with respect as a memorial to the fishermen who lost their lives on that stormy night.