Also known as: Rondo, War Wonder
There is nothing quite like dropping onto the Rondo for the first time. This former wartime standard cargo ship — originally launched as War Wonder — sank in a January storm in 1935 and came to rest on a steep cliff face at an angle of roughly 35 degrees. The result is one of the most visually dramatic wreck dives in British waters: the rudder post breaks the surface at just 5 metres while the bow is buried in sediment at 50. Descending along her hull feels like walking down a tilted skyscraper draped in white plumose anemones and orange soft corals. Every surface pulses with life. The dive demands respect — buoyancy control must be precise, and the depth range means careful gas planning — but the payoff is a wreck experience that stays with you long after the drysuit is hung up. Normally buoyed, she is the showpiece of any Sound of Mull trip.
Sank whilst seeking shelter from a storm in the Sound of Mull. The vessel came to rest on a steep underwater cliff face, resulting in her famous near-vertical orientation.
SS Rondo is a cargo vessel wreck located off Argyll, United Kingdom at a depth of 50 metres. The vessel was lost due to foundering in 1935. The wreck is diveable.
SS Rondo lies at 5 to 50 metres depth, Sound of Mull, on steep cliff face.
SS Rondo foundered on 25 January 1935, off Argyll, United Kingdom.
Diving the SS Rondo is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Minimum certification: PADI AOWD / BSAC Sports Diver. Recommended: PADI Deep Diver / BSAC Dive Leader.
The best months to dive SS Rondo are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SS Rondo is accessed by boat from Lochaline, Argyll, United Kingdom.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 7.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 7.5°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 8.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting |
| May | 10.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Jun | 11.5°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 13.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, plumose anemones |
| Aug | 14.0°C | 15.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, plumose anemones |
| Sep | 13.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 8.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, anemones, soft corals |
| Nov | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
3 evidence records from 3 sources.
Stern/rudder post at ~5m, bow dug into seabed at 50m. One of the most spectacular UK wreck dives.
Launched as War Wonder. Sank seeking shelter from storm in Sound of Mull, 25 January 1935. 80m length.
Famous near-vertical orientation on cliff face. Bow at ~50m, stern rising to ~5m. Average slope ~35 degrees. Completely covered in plumose anemones and soft corals.
Sound of Mull, on steep cliff face