Of the many water sports, scuba diving is perhaps one of the most exciting and stimulating and is particularly popular around the Western Isles of Scotland. Due to relative inaccessibility, adverse weather conditions and lack of diving facilities in the more remote areas, diving here is at its best: the water is crystal clear, marine life abundant and colourful, there is great variety of scenery and numerous interesting ship-wrecks.

The nearest dive centre to Coll is based at Tobermory on Mull and interest and membership is growing steadily under the competent, watchful eyes of its devoted organisers. It is from Tobermory that a few specially converted dive charter boats operate around the islands. Coll is particularly popular, its coastline being made up of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and gullies and shady coves. These boats are equipped with portable compressors for recharging air cylinders together with other necessary comforts and equipment for the adventurous-hearted. It's from the "Sweet Caroline" that I've done most of my diving round Coll. All you need is a valid certified log book and the silent world is your oyster.. .

One of Coll's most scenic dives lies off the Cairns of Coll in the north where you drop into the water over vertical stone gullies and swim with the tide through tall forests of kelp and shoals of fish. It is here you find lobster and crabs hiding in the rock crevices feasting off the abundant marine life. Down the south east coast of the island are more beautiful scenic dives, some drift dives, with vividly coloured sea weeds, pretty anemones and spider crabs, dark sea cucumbers and pink and purple sea urchins. All around the island are beds of scallops which make a delicious evening supper after the adventure. There is nothing nicer than scallops simmered briefly in milk, grilled, covered in garlic, little bacon fat, grated cheese and white sauce. A sheer gastronomical delicacy!

Coll is particularly renowned for some very good wreck dives. Many a wild night has found a ship foundering on the reefs about its coast. One of the best dives is the Tapti a brand new cargo ship that was being delivered to its new owner in the mid 1950s when it ran aground one foggy night. It later broke up and sank and now lies in 3 pieces in about 60 foot of water off Soa Island. The bow now facing the surface, covered with anemones and barnacles, is home of many fish including mackerel, lithe and even the odd conger eel. The wheel house lies complete and open on the bottom, the mast encrusted with barnacles flat along the sea bed and a gaping dark hole takes you through the boiler/engine room.

The more famous Nevada sank during the Second World War off the north-west coast and lies cradled in a gully in close proximity to the shore off the rocky cliffs. She was carrying a variety of cargo including Naafi stores, tins of cigarettes, tools and furniture, etc. She has been extensively salvaged but still makes a fascinating dive and a safe one for the novice. The wreck is quite complete in a small sheltered area. Her broken mast can be seen above water at low tide from the shore. She would also make a good snorkel dive.
There are other wrecks off the island shrouded in legend and mystery. In the south off Gunna lies a graveyard of scattered and broken ships. Another wreck lies near the point of the Moill up the coast, the Consul General Elisjeff, a Scandinavian boat. All in all, Coll has a great deal to offer the keen enthusiast and diving her shores will always be a new and thrilling experience in the unspoilt, inviting waters.