Dive Sites in Scottish Borders
The Cathedral at St Abbs Head is one of the defining dives of Scotland's voluntary marine reserve, a dramatic underwater cliff face draped entirely in sea fans, dead man's fingers, and massive plumose anemones with conger eels lurking in every crevice. Visibility is frequently among the best in British waters, and the marine life density is genuinely remarkable.
The Gully at St Abbs is a classic beginner-friendly dive through a dramatic underwater channel packed with jewel anemones, large lobsters, and encrusting life on every surface. The sheltered nature of the gully means currents are reduced, making it an ideal introduction to St Abbs Marine Reserve's remarkable biodiversity.
The Hairy Geisha is one of St Abbs Marine Reserve's most celebrated dive sites, a rocky reef completely smothered in enormous white plumose anemones that give the site its memorable name. The spectacle of a wall covered entirely in these metre-tall anemones swaying in the gentle current is one of British diving's most iconic underwater sights.
Wuddy Rocks near Eyemouth is a spectacular rocky reef dive beloved for its resident grey seal colony and the extraordinary variety of nudibranchs and macro life across the tumbled boulders. Large pollack, wrasse, and saithe patrol the reef alongside the friendly seals that frequently approach divers with curiosity.
Dive Schools in Scottish Borders
Eyemouth Diving is a BSAC-affiliated centre based in the working fishing harbour of Eyemouth, providing boat charters, equipment servicing, and guided dives throughout the St Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve. They have been operating in the Borders for over 20 years and maintain an excellent safety record in these sometimes challenging North Sea conditions.
St Abbs Dive Centre is the gateway to Scotland's only voluntary marine reserve, offering air and nitrox fills, equipment hire, and guided RIB trips to all the famous sites including the Cathedral, Hairy Geisha, and Wuddy Rocks. Their local knowledge of the reserve is second to none, and they are passionate advocates for marine conservation in the Borders.