Wreck of Maythorn

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 Maythorn 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 Maythorn is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. She’s not some massive ocean liner, just a sturdy cargo steamer that went down in 1919, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in atmosphere. We love how she sits upright, mostly intact, with her bow pointing stubbornly towards the surface as if still trying to make her way home. Dropping down onto her deck, you’re immediately struck by the sheer number of plumose anemones clinging to every surface, their feathery tentacles swaying with the gentle surge. It’s like diving into a soft, white carpet, punctuated by flashes of red and orange from the occasional wrasse darting between encrusted plates. We always spend time exploring the hold, where schools of pollack often swirl, catching the light in a silvery dance. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the prop is still visible, a relic of her working life, now a haven for squat lobsters and the occasional grumpy conger eel peering from crevices. Visibility here can be temperamental, as is typical for the Scottish West Coast, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering through, the Maythorn feels truly alive. This wreck is perfect for those who appreciate history and the slow, quiet beauty of a wreck reclaimed by the sea.