Wreck of John Swan

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 John Swan 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 John Swan is a proper journey of a dive, not one you just drop onto. We love the lead-up, navigating through the often-choppy Scottish waters, knowing there’s a piece of history waiting down below. Once you hit the deck, the wreck feels expansive, a proper steel behemoth that’s been down for a long time. It’s been well-colonised by now, barnacles and seaweeds clinging to every surface, and we’ve seen some hefty conger eels poking their heads out from the darker corners of the hold. This isn’t a colourful, tropical dive, but it’s got a raw, rugged beauty that only cold water wrecks possess. We always recommend bringing a good torch, as the light doesn’t penetrate far into the deeper sections, and that’s often where the bigger fish lurk. It’s a dive that rewards patience and a keen eye, perfect for anyone who appreciates the character of an older wreck and isn't afraid of a bit of a current.