Tides: Tide tables

Depth:   8m

Site entry/exit:         From the left of the car park as you face the sea go through the gate and walk 15 meters and enter the water at the clearing.  See the pictures below…. 

Underwater directions:    Head out till you reach 10m  (about a 100m) and turn right and head north for 200m and exit beside the castle or return to the entry point. To the south of the Castle the sea bed is rocky, in Summer there lots of kelp. North of the castle mid-way between the castle and the pier, the sea bed is sand. An east wind will hold the sea flat, a west wind turns the site into a dangerous washing machine with excessive surge in the shallow water and waves breaking onto the rocky shore. The pier is popular with some Scotsac branches for the sport diver "jump entry" skill assessment, its quite high. A shallow dive around the pier north of the castle can be good for creatures and critters. (see pictures below) 

Site Hazards:  Can get a lot of seaweed here and large waves. 

Suggested experience:    All grades of diver 

Nearest Public phone:      To Follow 

Mobile Network service:   Orange 

Other comments: This is where the famous Portencross galleon sank in 1740 a few hundred yards off farland head, one of the Spanish armada. One of the cannons used to lie beside the castle till a few years ago. 

Air & Nitrox fills:    C+C

Revision:    3 

Links:        Link 

Pub:    Largs marina 

Created by:   John Nicolson  

Date:   2/10/06 

Thanks To:   Budgy 

Land photos: 

Underwater photos: 

Underwater map/ Sketch:

Dive Report: Budgy 28/7/08  West Kilbride's Portencross is a popular weather dependant dive site with trainee's. Plenty of Parking, there are picnic tables but no shop or toilet facilities. Cross currents can be strong, the water is shallow, 6-8m max, you have to go out along way, to get depth. To the south of the Castle the sea bed is rocky, in Summer there lots of kelp. North of the castle mid-way between the castle and the pier, the sea bed is sand. An east wind will hold the sea flat, a west wind turns the site into a dangerous washing machine with excessive surge in the shallow water and waves breaking onto the rocky shore 

Dive Report:  Hickdive 27/2/10 Had a lovely wee dive here this morning, forecast was easterlies so no problem getting in and out (except squeezing through the gate with a twinset on ). Wee bit chilly after an hour and a quarter but the dive was like a walk in the park (and longer than the actual walk some folk were doing on shore ). Dozens of tiny yellow and white nudibranchs on the kelp fronds. No deeper than 7m, very relaxing with beautiful views over to the snow-capped mountains of Arran and down to Ailsa Craig. Thanks for the dive guide, would never have considered this site for a pleasant change from the usual suspects in the Lochs.

Live google map: