Wreck of Bonito

Protected Area

Bridgend Flats, Islay

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) - Wreck of Bonito 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 Wreck of Bonito is a proper dive, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve earned your hot chocolate afterwards. What we love about her is the sheer sense of history you get down there, even through the murk. It’s not about bright colours or balmy water; it’s about the atmosphere, the cold, the challenge. She lies on her side, and you can still make out the stern, though time and the currents have taken their toll. We often find the visibility here can be… *atmospheric*, let’s say. Ten metres is a good day, but honestly, even at five, it’s still compelling. The Bonito is a playground for conger eels, and we’ve had some truly memorable encounters with them, their heads poking out of nooks and crannies. Look closely and you’ll spot colourful nudibranchs clinging to the metal, little bursts of unexpected vibrancy. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide; the currents can pick up, making it a bit of a workout. It’s a dive for those who appreciate wrecks, the stories they tell, and the hardy critters that call them home.