PELICAN
Protected Area
Ballochmartin Bay
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) - PELICAN offers some of Scottish West Coast's richest wreck diving.
The Pelican, a dredger that went down in '84, sits upright in just two metres of water on Scotland’s west coast. We know, we know, two metres doesn’t sound like much, but trust us, this wreck is a real charmer. It’s perfect for those calm, sunny days when the surface is like glass. You’ll spend an easy hour finning around her, poking your head into the wheelhouse and engine room. The ambient light at this depth makes everything glow a soft green. We love how accessible she is, and it’s a brilliant spot for newer divers to get a feel for wreck penetration without any real commitment. The visibility can be surprisingly good here, sometimes 10 metres, letting you appreciate the scale of the vessel. Keep an eye out for the plumose anemones that carpet the metalwork, their white tentacles swaying with the gentle surge. We’ve spotted plenty of blennies darting in and out of the nooks, and the occasional juvenile cod sheltering in the deeper sections. Our favourite part has to be the feeling of hovering right over the deck, watching the light play on the rusting superstructure. It’s a tranquil, almost meditative dive.
Typical PELICAN 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.
Nearest Dive Centres to PELICAN
Dive shops near PELICAN
C&C MARINE SERVICES
Field Studies Council Millport
Just Dive In CIC
Splashsports Services
Scuba Diving Scotland
Fyne Diving
Reviews for PELICAN
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for PELICAN
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