GIRVAN

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) - GIRVAN 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

Girvan is one of those sites we always recommend to newer wreck divers, or anyone looking for a relaxed bimble on the Scottish west coast. It’s shallow, only ever 6m, which means decent bottom time and a good chance of some usable light penetration on a sunny day. The wreck itself is a barque, sunk way back in 1884. We love how much of the old girl is still there, spread out across the seabed. You’ll find bits of hull, ribs reaching up like skeletal fingers, and anchor chains snaking through the sand. It’s all beautifully encrusted with dead man’s fingers and various anemones. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for squat lobsters and blennies. The visibility can be variable, as with any Scottish dive, but on a good day, the low depth means a surprising amount of detail. Our favourite time to dive Girvan is definitely on a slack tide, with the sun high, just after a few days of settled weather. That’s when the light really plays across the structure, and you get the best chance to appreciate the history.