Wreck of Gertrude

Protected Area

Sanda Islands

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 Gertrude 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 Gertrude. Even the name sounds like a good story, doesn’t it? And this site delivers, offering a proper cold-water wreck dive with a real sense of history. Descending onto Gertrude, we’re always struck by how much of her remains, lying upright and proud on the seabed. You can poke around the superstructure, peer into doorways, and imagine the working life of this vessel. We’ve spent many an hour exploring her holds, often finding them crammed with inquisitive pollock and blennies eyeing us from dark corners. It’s not a site for spotting colourful reef fish, obviously. Instead, expect the greens and greys of the North Atlantic, illuminated by your torch, revealing the intricate details of a ship reclaimed by the sea. Our favourite part is definitely the stern section, where the propeller still offers a fantastic photo opportunity, often encrusted with dead man's fingers. Visibility here can be variable, as is the nature of Scottish diving, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates the surface, the light play through the water column is incredible. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents can pick up here, making exploration tricky otherwise. This dive is perfect for experienced wreck divers who appreciate maritime history and don’t mind a bit of chill in their fins.