Wreck of Sanspareil

Protected Area

Lamlash Bay

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 Sanspareil 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 Sanspareil wreck, lying off the Scottish West Coast, is a proper history dive, not one for the faint of heart. We love how the cold, clear Scottish waters have preserved her, offering a real glimpse into maritime history. It’s a dark dive, often deep, and the currents here can be lively, so you’ll want to be comfortable in your drysuit and proficient with a reel. Dropping down, the ship really emerges from the gloom, often draped in thick kelp. We’ve found her to be a fantastic study in deterioration and colonisation; you can still pick out the hull plates and framework, now completely encrusted with dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones. Look for the lobsters lurking in the deeper crevices and the pollack schooling around the more intact sections. This is a dive for the wreck enthusiast, someone who appreciates the story behind the metal and the hardy marine life that thrives in these challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, conditions.