wreck

Log This Dive

REINE DES FLOTS

The Reine des Flots, a trawler that met a fiery end in Sutton Harbour back in '82, offers something a bit different. She’s only three metres deep, right in the harbour, so this isn't about vast blue water or deep exploration. Instead, we love it for what it is: a living, breathing artefact of local history, completely colonised by the sea. You’re diving in a working harbour, so expect that brackish scent and a fair bit of boat traffic overhead. But descend, and the wreck instantly comes alive. The hull is thick with plumose anemones, their feathery tentacles swaying in the gentle currents. We’ve seen conger eels tucked into the darker recesses, and crabs scuttling over the decking. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical of a harbour, but on a good day, the light filtering through the surface ripples makes the colours pop. It’s a site for photographers who appreciate the macro, or anyone looking for a relaxed, easy dive with a strong sense of place. Think of it as an urban reef, a snapshot of how nature reclaims even the busiest human spaces.