BOUNCER

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) - BOUNCER 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 6m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Bouncer, resting in a shallow bay on the Scottish West Coast, is a proper character. This old gunboat, converted to a salvage vessel before she sank in 1921, now lies completely broken up in just six metres of water. We love a shallow wreck where you can really take your time and soak it all in. You won't find an intact hull here, but rather a fascinating jumble of metal ribs, plates, and machinery strewn across the seabed. It’s less about penetration and more about exploration. We spend ages picking through the wreckage, spotting the twin shafts and parts of her old horizontal engine, imagining her working life. The site is absolutely brilliant for macro life, often thick with tiny nudibranchs, crabs scuttling between the plates, and the occasional inquisitive wrasse. Visibility can be a bit variable, especially after a storm, so we always check conditions before heading out. It's a site that rewards patience and a keen eye, perfect for a long, relaxed dive, especially on a sunny day when the light dances through the kelp.

Typical BOUNCER 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.

Today06:4717:3810h 51m daylightGolden hour 16:48

BOUNCER Wreck History

Year Sunk

1921

Vessel Type

warship

Cause

unknown

The Bouncer has a fascinating history, beginning her life not as a civilian workhorse but as a Victorian-era gunboat. Built in 1879 at the renowned HM Dockyard in Pembroke, she was a product of British naval engineering, equipped with a 36-horsepower engine built by Penn of London. After a long military career, she was sold into private service and was operating as a salvage vessel at the time of her loss in 1921.

The exact circumstances of her sinking are not recorded, adding a layer of mystery to the dive. Today, the Bouncer rests in just 6 meters of water off the Scottish West Coast, making her an ideal and intriguing site for divers of all levels. Exploring the remains offers a unique glimpse into a vessel that served two very different purposes. Divers can trace the strong lines of her original gunboat hull while searching for clues to her later life in salvage, all in a shallow, sheltered location.