NESSMORE

Protected Area

Crossapol and Gunna

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) - NESSMORE 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Nessmore, an iron steamship sunk back in 1895, is less a wreck and more a historical canvas on the seabed. She was a big ship, over 100 metres long, and you really feel that scale as you swim along her hull. We’ve found her to be a cracker of a dive, especially if you get it on a day with decent visibility. What we love about the Nessmore is how intact much of her is, considering her age. The boilers are massive, almost like underwater monuments, and the compound expansion engine is still quite recognisable. You can spend a good chunk of a dive just exploring the deck structures, feeling the cold water swirl around you as you peer into the shadows. Conger eels are often lurking in the deeper recesses, and the whole wreck is encrusted with anemones and dead man's fingers. It’s a proper Scottish dive, moody and atmospheric, but incredibly rewarding. Our favourite spot is usually around the stern, where the propeller shaft is still quite prominent. It suits divers who appreciate a bit of history and don't mind the chill. Just keep an eye on the current; it can pick up a bit here.