SHACKLETON

Protected Area

Rathlin Island - Coast

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) - SHACKLETON 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 5m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Shackleton, a trawler that went down in 1930, sits upright and fairly intact in just five metres of water. We’ve found it’s a brilliant shallow dive, perfect for a long bottom time, especially if you’re trying out new camera gear or simply want to take things slow. With its exposed position, you’ll often find good light filtering through, illuminating the stern and bow sections. It’s well-colonised by kelp and dead man’s fingers, and we often spot butterfish darting in and out of the structure, along with the occasional crab tucked into a corner. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving in Scotland, easy to navigate, and generally free from strong currents.