SS Hispania

Protected Area

Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura

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) - SS Hispania 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 SS Hispania isn't just a wreck; it’s a living gallery of the sea's takeover, and easily one of our favourite dives in Scotland. Dropping down onto her, you’re met with plumose anemones carpeting almost every surface, so thick they undulate in the current like a slow-motion blizzard. The holds are cavernous, perfect for a torch-lit swim-through, revealing the hulking shapes of old cargo within. We love exploring the bridge area, where the wheelhouse offers a real sense of the ship’s past life, now claimed by dense patches of dead man's fingers. Keep an eye out for the darting butterfish and the occasional dogfish tucked away in the shadows. This is a dive for those who appreciate history and natural beauty intertwined, best tackled on a calm day when the Sound of Mull is at its most forgiving.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

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SS Hispania Wreck History

Year Sunk

1998

Vessel Type

warship

Cause

scuttled

Tonnage

1,140 tons

The vessel known to divers as the Boca Grande Wreck had a long and storied career above the waves as the USS Amesbury (DE-66). A Buckley-class destroyer escort, she was launched in 1943 and served with distinction in the Atlantic during World War II, primarily on anti-submarine and convoy escort duties. After the war, she was converted into a high-speed transport and continued her service before eventually being decommissioned.

Instead of being scrapped, the USS Amesbury was given a new purpose. In 1998, the vessel was carefully prepared and intentionally sunk off Key West, Florida, to create a new artificial reef. Renamed for its location near the Boca Grande channel, it quickly began its transformation from a decorated warship to a vibrant marine habitat.

Today, the Boca Grande is a premier advanced wreck dive in the Florida Keys. The 306-foot ship lies on its starboard side in approximately 30 meters (100 feet) of water. Its impressive size allows for extensive exploration of its decks, superstructure, and large compartments. The wreck is a magnet for marine life, and divers are often greeted by resident goliath groupers, large schools of barracuda, and countless other reef fish that now call this historic vessel home.