KINSOL
Protected Area
Sanda Islands
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) - KINSOL offers some of Scottish West Coast's richest wreck diving.
KinsOL is a Scottish wreck dive with a bit of a story. She was a salvage vessel, ironically sunk while trying to rescue another ship, the SS St Conan, back in 1939. This isn't a massive, intact wreck, more a scattering of ribs and hull plates across a silty seabed, but that's precisely why we love it. At just 11 metres, it’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for a long bottom time, and the historical context really adds something. Visibility here can swing dramatically, from a soupy five metres to a brilliant fifteen on a good day. When it's clear, the light filtering through the kelp, silhouetting the remains of the ship, feels quite atmospheric. Keep an eye out for the resident wrasse and blennies darting amongst the wreckage; we've also seen some surprisingly large conger eels lurking in the more sheltered sections. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration, peering under plates and into crevices. Our favourite part? Finding the scattered ceramic plates and bottles – little echoes of the crew who were once aboard. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, ideal for newer divers looking for something beyond a reef, or experienced hands wanting a relaxed potter with a sense of history.
Typical KINSOL Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Reviews for KINSOL
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for KINSOL
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