CHELAURA

Protected Area

Eigg - Laig to Kildonnan

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) - CHELAURA 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 1m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Okay, the CHELAURA. We’re talking about the Scottish West Coast here, so adjust your expectations of what "diving" means. This isn’t a deep wreck; in fact, it’s basically a snorkel. The old fishing vessel, formerly the Sarah Louise, met its end striking a rock in Eigg Harbour back in '91. Now, she lies just under the surface, a skeletal outline in the shallowest water. We love Chelaura for its sheer accessibility and the sense of history you get even in a metre of water. It’s perfect for a calm day, maybe after a shore dive nearby when you want to rinse off and see something different. You’ll spend most of your time peering down, watching crabs scuttling over the rusted plates, and small pollock darting through the remains of the wheelhouse. The light here, especially on a bright day, filters down in an almost ethereal way, illuminating the delicate kelp and anemones that have colonised the wreck. It’s a gentle exploration, really, more about observation than penetration. Bring a decent camera, because the light often paints the scene beautifully. We’d suggest going at high tide for the clearest view, as the tidal flow can stir up a bit of sediment at low water. It’s a unique glimpse into the working past of these islands.