Wreck of Katherine Ellen

Protected Area

Glas Eileanan

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 Katherine Ellen 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 Katherine Ellen, off Scotland's west coast, isn't some deep, dark behemoth. Instead, it’s a beautiful, shallow dive, perfect for those days when you want a relaxed explore. We love how accessible she is, resting in just a few metres of water, often making for surprisingly long bottom times, even if the visibility can be a bit variable. What you'll find here is a lovely old wooden ketch, broken in places but still holding her shape. You can glide along her ribs, peek into the remnants of her hold, and imagine her sailing days. The real joy, though, is the marine life that has truly made her home: nudibranchs are everywhere, often in brilliant colours, and we've seen everything from small wrasse darting between the planks to dogfish tucked away in the sand nearby. Our favourite part? The way the light dapples through the kelp, making the timbers glow on a sunny day. It’s a gentle dive, suited to anyone comfortable with a drysuit and a bit of chill.