Wreck of J M Stevens

Protected Area

Turnberry Lighthouse to Port Murray

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 J M Stevens 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 *J.M. Stevens*, a casualty of a torpedo strike in 1918, sits upright and largely intact on the seabed, a proper time capsule. We think this wreck really shows its history. You can still make out the superstructure, the deck gear, and even the boilers looming large in the gloom. It’s a proper technical dive, and not for the faint-hearted, but the rewards are there for those who put in the effort. We love how the cold, dark water preserves everything, giving it a ghost-ship feel. Schools of pollack often swarm the stern, darting into the shadows as you approach, and we've seen some hefty conger eels peeking out from behind crumpled plating. It’s a genuinely atmospheric dive. The current can be fierce here, so we always plan our dive around slack water, which gives you the best chance to properly explore the interior. Visibility can be hit or miss, but on a good day, when the sun breaks through the surface, the beams of light piercing the gloom are something else. It suits experienced cold-water wreck divers who appreciate history and a bit of a challenge.