HMS DRAKE - Scottish West Coast

The HMS Drake is a proper piece of history, just waiting off the Scottish West Coast. We love a wreck that tells a story, and this one, a huge armoured cruiser sunk in 1917, certainly does. Sitting in just 12 metres of water, it’s an ideal dive for anyone keen on exploring a big structure without the depth commitments. Descending onto the Drake, you immediately get a sense of its scale. It’s broken up, but you can still trace the outline of this massive vessel. The bow, in particular, is an imposing sight, and we always find ourselves drawn to the huge anchor chains draped across the seabed. Look closely and you’ll spot plumose anemones carpeting the metalwork, their white tentacles swaying gently with the surge. Schools of wrasse dart in and out of the plating, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a conger eel peeking from a dark hole. It’s a brilliant site for multiple dives, each one revealing a new detail of this grand old ship.

Location
Scottish West Coast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
55.285120, -6.208600
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Marine Protected Area: Rathlin Island

Nearby Dive Sites in Scottish West Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS DRAKE

Marine Life in Scottish West Coast

Home to 127 recorded species including 50 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 sharks & rays, 8 other, 7 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species