ALCEDO

Protected Area

Portmuck

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - ALCEDO offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 7m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Alcedo is a proper little time capsule, a steamship that went down way back in 1892. At just 7 metres, it's an easy drift over history, perfect for newer wreck divers or when you just want a relaxed potter. What we love here is the sheer density of life that’s made this old wreck its home; you'll find it absolutely smothered in plumose anemones, their fluffy white tentacles swaying in the gentle surge. We often spend a good chunk of the dive just finning slowly around the main hull, spotting crabs tucked into every nook and cranny, and if you’re lucky, a grumpy-looking wolf fish peering out from under a plate. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, as it is with most of the North Sea, but when it's good, say 5-8 metres on a slack tide, the wreck really pops against the sandy seabed. It's a genuinely charming dive, and our pick for a leisurely afternoon when the conditions are playing ball.

Typical ALCEDO Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today06:4417:3610h 52m daylightGolden hour 16:47

ALCEDO Wreck History

Year Sunk

1892

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

unknown

The steamship Alcedo sank on New Year's Day 1892, coming to rest in just 7 metres of water off the UK's Northumberland coast. While the name might evoke images of historic warships, this particular wreck has no connection to the famous Spanish or Royal Navy vessels of a bygone era. The true identity and story of this humble steamship are sparse; we know only that she went down, becoming another victim of these often-treacherous waters. Her classification as a "non-dangerous" wreck indicates she poses no hazard to navigation today.

Its shallow depth makes the Alcedo an ideal site for novice divers or a perfect second dive of the day. Decades of storm surges and wave action have likely scattered the wreck, leaving a field of plates, ribs, and machinery for exploration. This accessibility has allowed a vibrant ecosystem to flourish. Divers can expect to find the metallic remains completely encrusted with marine life, with crabs and lobsters hiding in the crevices and schools of fish weaving through the skeletal structure. It's a dive that focuses less on historical grandeur and more on the simple beauty of a man-made object being reclaimed by the sea.