HMS HELEN WILSON

Protected Area

Lynn of Lorn

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 HELEN WILSON 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 33m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The HMS Helen Wilson is one of those wrecks that just hits right, especially on a calm day. Down at 33 metres, this drifter vessel, sunk by fire in 1917, is wonderfully intact. We love how the deck structures are still recognisable, making it easy to picture her as she once was. Visibility, typically 5-10 metres here, means you’re often hovering in that ethereal Scottish green, just enough light to illuminate the stern. You’ll spend most of your bottom time exploring the engine room, which is pretty open and offers some great swim-throughs if you're comfortable with overhead environments. Our favourite part has to be the resident conger eels; they’re huge here, often peeking out from pipes and crevices, their eyes glinting in your torch beam. Look out for the nudibranchs too, little splashes of colour against the rusted metal. It’s a dive that rewards careful exploration, perfect for divers who appreciate a wreck with a story. Just be mindful of the often brisk surface currents on the West Coast; pick a slack tide if you can.