Diving

The presence of the nearby Gulf Stream and unpolluted waters make Oban a mecca for UK diving enthusiasts. There is enough diving here to suit everyone whether pleasant scenic dives, wrecks both shallow and deep, hairy drift dives with tidal flows exceeding 15 knots and deep drop offs. The marine life although small in size is abundant with walls covered in anemones, sea squirts and sponges, lobsters and conger eels lingering in crevices and the occasional visit from common seals.

There is some good shore diving close to Oban itself with the drift round Dunollie Castle being very popular but the more spectacular dives are in the Sound of Mull and off the Garvellachs. In the Sound the wrecks of the Rondo and the Hispania are excellent and the cliff dives at Lochaline and Calve Island being classics.

The Garvellachs are in an area swept by tidal currents that reach their pinnacle in the Corrywreckan the 3rd largest whirlpool in the world which can be heard on the mainland 5 miles away on a good day.
Here the dives are down rock faces and pinnacles covered in life often with a current at your back.

Other popular dives include the Breda, a WW2 wreck in Ardmucknish Bay, and the turbulent Falls of Lora definitely not for the faint hearted.

There are plenty of launch sites for those wanting to bring their own boats and several dive boat operators who run large hardboats taking up to 12 divers and also smaller RIBs to the local dive sites.

For more information about diving courses and equipment please see our Business Directory page.