Wreck of Islay I

Protected Area

South-East Islay Skerries

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 Islay I 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 Islay I is a proper Scottish wreck dive, moody and atmospheric, just how we like them. We’re talking about an old steam trawler, sitting upright and pretty intact, at around 30 metres. Dropping down, you’ll often find the visibility surprisingly good, maybe 10 to 15 metres on a calm day, and the wreck just materialises out of the green gloom. What we love about the Islay I is how much character she has. You can still make out the superstructure, the bow, and a good chunk of the stern. We always suggest a slow swim-through of the engine room if conditions allow, but keep an eye on your gauges, it gets silty fast. Expect to find conger eels peering from every dark hole, and the deck often has a carpet of squat lobsters. It's a fantastic dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a chill. We recommend drysuits, obviously. The thermocline hits hard.