CARTHAGINIAN (POSSIBLY)

Protected Area

Magilligan Point

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) - CARTHAGINIAN (POSSIBLY) 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 54m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Ah, the *Carthaginian* – or what we *think* is the *Carthaginian*. That’s part of the charm, isn't it? Dropping onto this deep wreck off the Scottish West Coast is an experience in itself. You're descending into that characteristic green gloom, the light fading fast, and then the massive silhouette of her hull begins to emerge from the murk at 54 metres. This is proper deep wreck diving, a commitment. The ship lies mostly on her starboard side, and the sheer scale of her, at nearly 120 metres long, is immense. We love working our way along the deck, picking out details – the enormous boilers are still very much in evidence, and you can practically feel the history here. It's a sombre, almost reverent dive. Visibility can be hit or miss, but on a good day, when the light penetrates just enough, the wreck becomes a cathedral of steel. You'll find plenty of inquisitive conger eels peering from every nook, and the walls are thick with colourful anemones, a vibrant contrast to the rusting steel. This site is for experienced technical divers, those who appreciate the challenge and the profound sense of history that comes with a dive this deep.