HMS EMBRACE

Protected Area

Inner Hebrides and the Minches

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) - HMS EMBRACE 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 5m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

We love the HMS Embrace for its sheer accessibility, a rare treat for a proper wreck dive. This isn't some deep, dark expedition; she sits in just 5 metres of water in Loch Alsh, a relic from 1940. We usually find her quite sheltered, making it a great dive even when the Scottish weather tries its best. Drop down and you're immediately on the deck. Her outline is still clear, though time and the sea have smoothed her edges. You can trace her from bow to stern, imagining her as a harbour patrol craft, not just a fishing vessel. What we really appreciate here is the way the cold water corals have started to colonise the metal. You'll spot colourful anemones clinging to the plates and little squat lobsters peeking out from beneath twisted sections of hull. It’s a gentle exploration, perfect for anyone who wants to spend a good chunk of time inspecting the details without worrying about deco limits. It suits photographers well, too, given the shallow depth and generally good light penetration, even on a cloudy day.