Wreck of Boy John

Protected Area

Corsewall Point to Milleur Point

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 Boy John 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 Boy John isn’t about huge pelagics or technicolour reefs. It’s about history, about the cold embrace of the Atlantic, and the surprisingly vibrant life that makes a home in the iron bones of a steam trawler. We love this wreck for its accessibility, sitting comfortably in shallower water, usually around 15-20 metres, which makes for decent bottom time even for less experienced wreck divers. You’ll find her mostly intact, lying on her port side, her stern still showing a proud curve of steel. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer number of plumose anemones, their white, feathery heads swaying gently in the current, creating a surreal, snowy landscape on the metalwork. Inside the holds, if you dare a cautious penetration, conger eels often lurk, their thick bodies camouflaged against the rust. We’ve had some cracking dives here when the visibility is good, around 10-15 metres, which really lets you appreciate the scale. Our favourite moments are peering into the engine room, imagining the roar of steam, now just a silent, encrusted tomb for crabs and squat lobsters. It's a proper Scottish wreck dive, moody and utterly captivating.