Wreck of Catherine

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 Catherine 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 the Catherine, resting off Scotland’s west coast, isn't about tropical colours. It's about atmosphere. We love how the cool, green light filters down, creating a genuinely moody scene around this old steamship. You descend onto a cargo steamer, probably a coaster, broken but largely intact, with her bow pointing slightly upwards. What we really enjoy here is the sense of history that comes with every twist of the hull. This isn't some purpose-sunk artificial reef. It's a working vessel that met its end, and you can still see evidence of its working life in the holds and deck machinery. Look for the prop shaft running towards the stern. Conger eels are often found tucked into the darker crevices, and wrasse dart between the rusted plates. It's a site for divers who appreciate the story of a wreck, who don’t mind a bit of chill in the water, and who relish exploring rather than simply observing. The visibility can be variable, but when it’s good, it’s truly special. We’d suggest a good dive light to really pick out the detail.