Wreck of Colonial Empire

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 Colonial Empire 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

Diving the *Colonial Empire* is less about bright colours and more about the stark beauty of a ship reclaimed by the sea. She was a steam trawler, sunk in 1917, now resting upright and largely intact, a real testament to her robust build. We love how the dark, cold water preserves her, giving a sense of really stepping back in time. Expect to feel that chill bite as you descend, but the reward is worth it. The deck is carpeted in dead man’s fingers, white and ghostly against the ship’s dark steel, and look for conger eels peering from every dark opening. Our favourite is the engine room, surprisingly open and penetrable, where you can still make out the massive machinery. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the West Coast, so pick a calm day with neap tides for your best chance. This wreck is a proper adventure, perfect for divers who appreciate history and the quiet, dramatic beauty of temperate wrecks.