wreck

Log This Dive

COLIN ARCHER

The Colin Archer, sitting in just 3 metres of water off the North Sea Coast, is a surprisingly engaging dive for its shallowness. We love it because it’s so accessible, a fantastic shore dive when conditions are right. You’re not getting deep here, but you are getting a proper wreck experience, one that tells a story. This is a dangerous wreck, yes, but that’s mostly a navigation warning for boats above. For divers, it means an intact hull, timber ribs still prominent, and plenty of nooks to poke a light into. We’ve spent hours here, following the line of the keel, watching the sand eels dart into the substrate as we approach. Visibility can be a challenge – this is the North Sea, after all – but when it's good, you can make out the bow structure and a surprising amount of detail on the deck. Look for flatfish camouflaged against the seabed, and the occasional cod lurking within the wreck itself. It’s a photographer’s dream on a sunny day, with shafts of light penetrating the water and illuminating the dark timbers. Our best advice? Go at slack tide, especially after a few days of calm weather, and you'll be rewarded. It’s perfect for new wreck divers or anyone who appreciates a bit of history right off the beach.