Wreck of Cartsdyke

Protected Area

Firth of Lorn

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 Cartsdyke 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 Cartsdyke isn't about tropical fish, it's about history and atmosphere, a real piece of the Clyde’s maritime past. This is a wreck for those who appreciate industrial archaeology, a chance to get hands-on with a sunken piece of engineering. You’ll find the wreck well broken up, scattered across the seabed, but the sheer volume of debris tells a powerful story. We’re talking about massive plates of iron, huge beams, and machinery parts, all encrusted with local anemones and a thick carpet of hydroids. Visibility here can vary wildly, as you'd expect on the Scottish West Coast, but when it’s good, the light filtering down through the green water on those metal structures is genuinely atmospheric. Our favourite parts are exploring the deeper sections where the structure is still a bit more intact, offering shelter for conger eels and squat lobsters. Come prepared for colder water and potentially strong currents, but if you love a good wreck dive with a sense of place, the Cartsdyke delivers. It suits divers who are comfortable in challenging conditions and enjoy a bit of a treasure hunt amongst the debris.