EARL OF CARRICK

Protected Area

South Shian and Balure

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) - EARL OF CARRICK 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 8m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Earl of Carrick, resting in the shallows off the Scottish West Coast, is a proper charmer of a wreck. We love how accessible it is, sitting upright at just 8 metres deep, making it perfect for a relaxed dive. Built of iron in 1875, she went down in 1878, and you can still make out her distinct shape, the hull plates slowly dissolving into the seabed, but the ribs standing proud. As you descend, the light filters through the kelp forest that dances above, creating shifting patterns on the deck. Look closely and you'll spot wrasse picking through the structure, their electric blue and green scales flashing in the gloom. The stern is our favourite spot, often home to a grumpy conger eel peering out from a shadowed crevice. Inside the remains of the engine room, you can still see parts of the old machinery, encrusted in sea anemones and dead man’s fingers. This isn't a wreck for penetration, but it's a fantastic site for exploring the nooks and crannies, tracing the lines of a vessel lost to time. It’s brilliant for photographers, too, especially on a calm, sunny day when the visibility extends to a good 10-15 metres.