Wreck of Colonial

Protected Area

Drumadoon - Tormore

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 Colonial 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 *Colonial* is a proper Scottish wreck, not one of those sun-drenched, easy-access affairs. You’ll find her off the west coast, usually in conditions that demand a bit of grit. We love this dive for its sheer atmospheric charm. Drop down and you’re into the gloom, a grand old steamship lying broken but remarkably intact. The visibility can swing wildly here, but when it’s good, you can make out the scale, the bow still proud, the stern less so. Swimming along the deck, you’ll find the brass fittings gone, but the structure itself has become a home. Ling, conger eels, and huge ballan wrasse lurk in every dark corner and beneath plating. Our favourite part is the engine room, a tight squeeze for sure, but the machinery is still recognisable, encrusted with anemones. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a challenge. You need to be comfortable with limited visibility and a good understanding of wreck penetration if you want to explore the deeper sections. Best dived on a slack tide, naturally, to avoid a real workout.