Map location of Gallanach Reef
Dive Spot Guide

Gallanach Reef

Sheltered Oban shore dive with a granite wall.

Scuba DivingShoreBeginner
Reef
Local operator required

Local operators know the tide window, the safest return line, and the bay rules around boats and trainee divers.

Shore entry from Gallanach Bay with a shallow granite wall, tide-aware routing, and local bay traffic to manage.

About Gallanach Reef

Gallanach Reef is a sheltered Oban shore dive on a granite wall with a shallow top, easy slipway access, and predictable navigation when you plan around the tide. It suits entry-level divers who want a calm-bay drill site with cold-water marine life, local boat and trainee traffic, and an easy out-and-back reef circuit.

Research Estimate At Gallanach Reef

Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.

VisibilityVisibility: 10m
AccessEasy entry
CoralHeavily damaged
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesExcellent facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentLight current
SurgeFlat calm

Where Is Gallanach Reef?

Map location of Gallanach Reef
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.

Gallanach Reef Planning Details

Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.

Reported Depth

1.5m - 9m

Depth Note

Public pages describe a granite wall from about 9m on the seabed up to about 1.5m at the top, with the reef followed as an out-and-back shore dive.

Best Season

July to September, when the local water temperature and visibility are usually most practical.

Typical Conditions

Sheltered cold-water shore diving with a granite wall, tidal planning, and visibility that shifts with weather and slack-water timing.

Safety & Access At Gallanach Reef

Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.

Key Hazards

Boat trafficLow visibility

Safety Notes

Use an SMB, keep an eye on boat movement near the pier, and stay alert to tide timing on the return.

Access Restrictions

High tide brings the easiest access and clearest water; bay and slipway users must follow Puffin rules and boat-speed limits.

Legal Notes

Follow Puffin water rules for the bay, especially the marked reef zone and the low-speed requirements for boats.

Local Intel For Gallanach Reef

Community notes to help plan your visit.

Scuba

A shore dive that follows the reef edge and wall out from the slipway, then returns along the granite structure.

Freedive

Not a freedive-first site. Cold water, tide timing, and bay traffic make scuba the normal fit.

Snorkel

The bay can be explored at the surface in calm water, but the site is mainly a scuba shore dive.

Gallanach Reef Dive Conditions Planner

Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Gallanach Reef.

Current Snapshot
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🌥️Variable
Sunrise
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Sunset
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Surface / Entry
Wind No data · Tide No data
Great
Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Great
Visibility Outlook
Rain chance No data
Great
Wind
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Swell
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Exposure Profile at Gallanach Reef

Directional shelter context for incoming swell.

Exposure Note

Hourly forecast data is not available yet.

Wildlife at Gallanach Reef

Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.

Recent Logged Visits At Gallanach Reef

Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.

No Dive Logs Yet

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Dive Spot Log Averages At Gallanach Reef

Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.

Conditions
Avg. Visibility10m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
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Gallanach Reef Guide - Frequently Asked Questions

Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.

Gallanach Reef Guide - Sources and Updates

Last Updated

Research Sources

www.bsac61.com · Community

BSAC local diving page says Oban visibility averages 5-20m, water temp is about 14C in July to September, and tides/slack water can be unpredictable.

www.puffin.org.uk · Operator

Puffin says Gallanach Bay has shore access, an easy slipway, launch and recovery, air fills, guest moorings, kit wash areas, toilets, changing rooms, parking, and crew space.

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