Wreck of Toward

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 Toward 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 Wreck of Toward off the Scottish West Coast is, for our money, one of those dives that feels like stepping back in time. We’re not just talking about the history of the ship here. Dropping down onto the Toward, you often feel that chill, dark embrace of the North Atlantic. It’s an immersive experience. What you get here is a proper old steamer, resting upright and largely intact. The stern is a good place to start, with the prop still visible and those massive rudder plates creating eerie shadow play. We love pushing into the cargo holds, where the light struggles to penetrate. Keep an eye out for conger eels here; they practically own these spaces. The midships boilers are impressive too, huge rusty cylinders that feel like monuments to an industrial past. Over the years, dead man’s fingers and anemones have really taken hold, transforming the ironwork into something organic and beautiful. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a chill for a truly atmospheric wreck.