Wreck of Stockholm

Protected Area

Gruinart 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 Stockholm 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 Stockholm is one of those wrecks that just grabs you. We often talk about ‘feeling’ a wreck, and this old Swedish cargo ship, sunk in 1893, definitely has a presence. Dropping down, you’ll find her sitting upright on a sandy seabed, relatively intact for her age, with her bow pointing slightly north. We love the way the light filters through the west coast waters here, illuminating the structure, especially when there’s a bit of a swell overhead, creating those dancing patterns. What really makes the Stockholm sing for us is the penetration opportunities. There are several large cargo holds that are easy to explore, offering plenty of space to manoeuvre, even with a bit of silt. Keep an eye out for the resident conger eels coiled in the darker corners – they're usually pretty placid but give them their space. Our favourite spot is the stern, where you can often find schools of pollock circling the props, flashing silver as they catch the ambient light. This site is brilliant for those comfortable with wreck diving and ready for a proper exploration, rather than just a quick look-around. It’s a proper dive into history.