Wreck of Lyra

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 Lyra 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 Lyra is a serious piece of history, resting upright and mostly intact on the seabed off the Scottish west coast. Drop down and you’re immediately struck by the sheer scale of it, a cargo steamer from a bygone era, now completely given over to the sea. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks that feel like a journey, and the Lyra delivers, letting you explore the holds, engine room, and even the stern where the propeller blades are often still visible, draped in anemones. What really sells the Lyra for us is the atmosphere; it’s dark, moody, and full of life that thrives in these colder waters. Ling often hide in the darker recesses, while dead man's fingers coral coats almost every surface, adding splashes of orange and white to the steel. It's a dive that demands respect for the environment and the wreck itself, best suited for experienced divers comfortable with deeper, colder conditions and who appreciate a wreck with a real story behind it. We always recommend bringing a good torch; it truly transforms the experience, picking out details and the marine life that would otherwise stay hidden in the shadows.