Erin Sue Giles is a fan of the SS Rondo wreck in the Sound of Mull, which has long been a club favourite
COMPETITION
The Rondo’ s rudder is thick with plumose anemones
Saithe and Sound
Erin Sue Giles is a fan of the SS Rondo wreck in the Sound of Mull, which has long been a club favourite
Briefing: Inside the Sound of Mull in Scotland awaits a vertical wreck just 5m below the surface. With the bow at 50 metres, this ship presents a home for colourful plant and animal life which have been calling the SS Rondo home for the past 90 years since it sunk.
The Dive: An American built steam cargo ship from 1917, the Rondo was intended to support the final war efforts of the First World War. On one stormy night in 1935, the SS Rondo moored in the sound of Mull to shelter. Unfortunately, the ship suffered an anchor chain collapse and was subsequently blown down the sound and onto the rocks of Dearg Sgeir, essentially demolishing the lighthouse at the time.
Efforts were made to salvage the ship, but it eventually slid into the Sound providing a haven for wildlife to consume over the subsequent decades. Now, the SS Rondo offers an opportunity for viewing vibrant plant and animal life which have been growing for 90 years since it sunk. In both October 2024 and May 2025, the Rondo was blooming with wildlife, including numerous nudibranchs. It is particularly exciting for newer UK divers who are beginning to spot these creatures and will no doubt encounter them on this brightly lit wreck, including significantly larger ones than found on other sites around the Sound of Mull.
This dive is simultaneously exciting and relaxing for UK divers who can descend by the shot line at 5m and go down to their desired depth, working their way back up on either side and / or the decking of the wreck, which is 45m in length.
The reef nearby the SS Rondo is also blooming with plant and animal life waiting to be explored. Wildlife spotted in May 2025 include barrel jellyfish, wrasse, and more than 20 nudibranchs on one dive, including the violet sea slug, yellow edged Polycera, and crystal sea slugs. Pollock and saithe are also often spotted. Sea fans and various encrusting organisms including the iconic dead men’ s finger await. The ethereal underwater landscape offers abundant wildlife for divers to view providing an unforgettable diving experience, with all colours of the spectrum on display.
Debrief: The steep vertical positioning of the wreck jutting towards the surface presents an interesting and stunning viewpoint for divers. The diversity of plant and animal life, alongside a riveting history makes this wreck a must for divers interested in exploring what colourful life the Sound of Mull has to offer. �
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