KARTLI

Protected Area

Sound of Gigha

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) - KARTLI 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 6m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Kartli, a hulking stern trawler, isn't just a wreck; it’s a proper metal playground. She ran aground in a gale back in '91, and now sits almost upright, her bow nudging the shore. We love that you can dive this one at pretty much any tide, though slack water makes exploring the deeper sections a bit less work. Dropping onto her deck, you’re met with a riot of life. Anemones in every shade – orange, white, pink – cling to every surface, swaying gently in the surge. Schools of wrasse dart in and out of the broken superstructure, and if you’re patient, you might spot a territorial ballan wrasse eyeing you from a porthole. We’d suggest exploring the stern first, where the prop is still visible, encrusted with dead man's fingers. Penetration into the wheelhouse is straightforward for experienced wreckies, offering glimpses into a past life, though some of the interior has collapsed. It’s a great dive for photographers, especially when the sun filters through the shallow water, illuminating the vibrant colours that have colonised this steel behemoth. Just keep an eye on your depth here, it's easy to get absorbed.