HYACINTH (POSSIBLY)

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) - HYACINTH (POSSIBLY) 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 3m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Hyacinth, or what we think is the Hyacinth, sits in the shallows just off Kerrera, a stone's throw from Oban Bay. This isn't a deep dive, only three metres, which makes it perfect for a long, slow exploration. Built of iron in 1901, she caught fire in 1920, the engine room blaze spreading fast before the crew got rescued. They towed her hull here, and now she’s a scattering of ribs and plates on the silty bottom. We love Hyacinth for its accessibility and the way the light filters through the kelp, dappling the wreck. Look for the distinct bow section, surprisingly intact, with plates still holding. Shoals of juvenile coalfish often swarm through the wreckage, and we’ve seen plenty of velvet swimming crabs scuttling between the ironwork. It’s an ideal site for macro photography, or just an easy second dive, perfect for stretching out your bottom time. Dive this one on a calm day; the bay can get choppy with boat traffic.