ISLAY OR ISLAY III

Protected Area

South-East Islay Skerries

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) - ISLAY OR ISLAY III 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 9m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Diving the Islay III is like stepping back into a maritime time capsule. She’s not deep, just 9 metres, so you get plenty of bottom time to really explore. We love the way the light filters down, even on a cloudy day, illuminating the scattered remains of this old paddle steamer. You can trace her lines, pick out the ribs of her hull, and get a real sense of her scale. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for divers who appreciate history and don't mind rummaging through a bit of a jigsaw puzzle rather than a pristine wreck. Her boiler is still prominent, a squat metal cylinder that now acts as an apartment block for squat lobsters and the occasional blenny. Look closely at the metalwork; you’ll see the delicate fronds of dead man's fingers coral, their white and orange contrasting against the dark steel. We always find conger eels tucked away in the more sheltered sections, their heads peeking out from beneath a twisted plate or a gap in the structure. The visibility can vary here, as with much of the West Coast, but when it's good, around 5-8 metres, the whole site feels alive. It’s a quiet wreck, often overlooked for some of the flashier deeper sites, but for us, that’s part of its charm. Come here for a relaxed poke about, imagining the steam and the paddle wheels turning, and enjoy the marine life that now calls her home.