Local Dive Sites
We are lucky to have some fantastic dive sites here in the north east of Scotland.
Our local dive sites range from those that are sheltered and have easy access for training, to the more challenging sites for the more experienced diver. Stunning underwater scenery when the visibility is good, and inhabited by weird, wonderful and colourful marine life. Click on the links or scroll down to see where we dive and the amazing variety of marine life we can see locally.
Rosehearty
One of our best local sites. Accessible at most states of the tide this site offers an amazing variety of life – catsharks, lumpsuckers, sticklebacks, lobsters, crabs, anemones, nudibranchs and so much more for those interested in marine life. When visibility is good the underwater landscape is stunning – swim-throughs, gulleys and suspended boulders one way, and a dramatic pinnacle the other.
Sandhaven
A simple site to navigate – round an underwater island and back, this site never disappoints for marine life. A variety of habitats on the route offers opportunities for viewing a variety of species – vertical walls full of cracks to investigate, sand where saithe can sometimes be seen feeding on sandeels, kelp and weed-covered slopes sometimes hiding pipefish, and the sheltered back wall of the island is home to congers, sticklebacks, leopard spotted gobies and too much more to list!
Macduff
Best dived around high tide otherwise it can be a long walk through the kelp. Another stunning site for marine life and the underwater landscape. When visibility is good the underwater arch and cave provide an impressive backdrop to the huge variety of life than can be found here. Vertical walls, cracks, boulders and kelp provide homes for plenty of lobsters, crabs, nudibranchs, anemones, and fish – angler fish have been seen on this site.
Millshore
Probably our most picturesque site. When conditions are right (tricky to dive if there is any swell) this site is like an underwater garden. Navigate the pebbly shore to enter the water at the bottom of a tall cliff. Under the water drop down and swim through a hole in the bottom of the cliff to enter another world full of colour. Inside the cliff is a long gulley, open to the sky, and when the sun shines it’s just magical. If you have enough air you can continue to the end and come back out and return to the shore along the bottom of the cliff.
Roanheads
Easy access site with parking right next to the shore. Just next to Peterhead’s bustling harbour this site provides a surprising amount of marine life – octopus, pipefish, nudibranchs and all the usual lobsters, crabs and anemones. Good for training as the entrance area is very sheltered and shallow.
Buchanness Lighthouse (Boddam)
The most easterly point of mainland Scotland provides an excellent dive site when the Moray coast is blown out. Another easy to navigate site – swim along a vertical wall, turn right then left through a steep-sided gulley, check for the monster lobster in the cave at the end of the gulley, through an underwater arch and then back round the outside. This site even has a wreck (of sorts).
Gardenstown
Boat dives out of Gardenstown into Gamrie Bay and beyond can offer some amazing diving. Too many sites to list going west to Head of Garness and east to almost Troup Head (UK’s largest mainland colony of gannets). Plenty of wrasse, soft coral, anemones, lobsters, crabs and sometimes even a playful seal. East, near Troup Head, you may even be lucky enough to see birds diving underwater.
Stirlinghill Quarry (Boddam)
When the weather stops play in the sea then the quarry near Boddam is an option. Great for training as it has an easy entry, different depths and buoys in place. Not much life to see but there are some fish. There is also an ice-cream van, a chessboard and various other unexpected items lurking in the deep. The access track can be hard on your suspension though.