Seagull Rock
This is the prominent rock approx 100m north of the harbour. The ease
of access and location make this site ideal for trainees, but care
must be taken when diving the seaward side of the site, which is very
close to the fairway. A short snorkel to the rock face is advised
as the area is very shallow and dries out at low tide making entry
and exits difficult. By following the rock face down a kelp gully,
there is a large area of sand where flatfish, hermit crabs and, sometimes,
large shoals of fish congregate. On the north side of the rock there
is an overhanging gully that runs into a small cave, where the bell-shaped
walls are festooned with dead men's fingers. It can be very dark in
this area, so a good torch is an essential piece of equipment. Do
not enter this gully if there is a strong surge as there is a danger
of being swept into the narrow cave entrance.
Big Green Carr
To the north-east of the harbour breakwater is a large rock approx
50m from the entry point which has become famous for the resident
wolf-fish that can be found on the western side of the rock. On
the seaward side is an area known as the Amphitheatre, a large bowl
shaped feature named because of its resemblance to a classical amphitheatre.
Best dived in the morning when the sunlight reflects off the sandy
bottom, this is a very photogenic site and home to several curious
and friendly ballan wrasse.
Little Green Carr
This is probably one of the least dived sites in the St Abbs harbour
area, but is one of the most rewarding. The steep sided walls of
the rock are alive with large multi- coloured dahlia anemones and
dead men's fingers. It is a good site to see octopus or, in the
latter part of the year, angler fish on the sandy bottom on the
western side of the rock. Beware of the strong tides that sweep
around this area.
Cathedral Rock
This is the most famous dive site in the marine reserve and is the
one which most people miss or can't find. The rock is easy to recognize
by its twin archways of natural rock, one on top of the other. The
undersides of the arches are festooned with orange and white plumose
anemones, Devonshire cup corals and various other colourful sponges.
Due to the strong tides running through the site it is best dived
at slack water
