Wreck of Maggie Cross

Protected Area

Bridgend Flats, Islay

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 Maggie Cross 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 Maggie Cross, she’s a proper Scottish wreck, not some tropical sun-drenched playground, and that's precisely why we love her. You’re diving history here, a former coaster that sank in the Sound of Mull, lying on a silty seabed. The water is usually a cool 8-12 degrees Celsius, even in summer, so a good drysuit and thick undersuit are non-negotiable. Descend into the green gloom and the wreck materialises, broken but still substantial. We often find schooling pollack darting through the superstructure, and if you bring a good torch, the nooks and crannies reveal squat lobsters and the occasional conger eel peeking from a pipe. It's a dive for those who appreciate the quiet drama of a historical site and aren't afraid of a bit of chill. Visibility can range from 5 to 15 metres depending on the day; our advice is to check local reports before heading out. Our favourite part? That sense of isolation, just you and the wreck, far from the madding crowd.