AZALEA - Northumberland & Northeast

We love the *Azalea* for its sheer accessibility and surprising character, a proper little time capsule just a short dip down. This isn't a deep, dramatic wreck, but for 7m, she really delivers. You’ll find her broken up a bit, spread across the seabed, but the boiler stands proud, a real focal point. It’s always buzzing with life, especially those cheeky wrasse darting between the plates, and we often spot butterfish tucked into the nooks. Exploring here feels like poking around a submerged scrapheap, but in the best possible way. The iron plates are thick with anemones and hydroids, a shaggy carpet of life. Our favourite time to dive the *Azalea* is on a calm, sunny day when the light really penetrates, making the metal glow a dull bronze. Visibility can vary, but even on an average day, it’s a lovely, gentle potter. It's an ideal spot for newer divers getting comfortable with wrecks, or for photographers who want to spend some quality time framing shots of those intricate iron structures and the resident critters. Just be mindful of the currents, which can pick up a bit around slack water, but nothing too taxing. For such a shallow site, it’s packed with details, and we’re always finding something new on repeated visits.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.506195, -3.092053
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Wreck History - AZALEA

Year Sunk
1903
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm

The SS Azalea was an iron-hulled steamship built in 1886 by the renowned Sunderland Shipbuilding Co. For seventeen years, she plied the coastal waters of the United Kingdom, a workhorse of the early 20th century maritime trade. Owned by A.H. Reid of Liverpool at the time of her loss, her career came to an abrupt and tragic end on Christmas Eve, 1903, when she foundered and sank during a fierce storm.

Resting at a very shallow depth of just 7 meters, the Azalea is an accessible dive, though her age and exposure to over a century of North Sea weather mean she is now thoroughly broken up. Divers can explore the scattered remains, identifying key features like her single boiler and the remnants of her compound expansion engine. The wreckage has become a thriving artificial reef, offering a home to a variety of local marine life, making it an interesting exploration for both novice divers and history enthusiasts.

Marine Protected Area: Ravenmeols Hills

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to AZALEA

Marine Life in Northumberland & Northeast

Home to 132 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 11 sharks & rays, 10 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical diving depths at the sites visited by the Azalea liveaboard in the Maldives and Philippines?
The provided data describes the AZALEA as a specific wreck dive site located in Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, with a typical diving depth of 7m. This information does not cover typical diving depths at sites visited by an Azalea liveaboard in the Maldives or Philippines, as the context refers to a stationary wreck. For details on the AZALEA wreck, divers can expect an intermediate difficulty dive.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see when diving with Azalea in the Maldives or Philippines?
The provided data details the AZALEA as a steam ship vessel wreck, built of iron in 1886 and sunk in 1903, located in Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom. It does not contain information about marine life or underwater features specific to a liveaboard in the Maldives or Philippines. Divers exploring the AZALEA wreck can expect to see the remains of a 49.4m x 7m iron vessel, classified as a dangerous wreck.
How challenging are the dive sites on the Azalea's itineraries, especially regarding currents and overall diving experience required?
The provided data specifies the AZALEA as an intermediate difficulty wreck dive site in Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom. This information pertains to the stationary wreck itself, not the challenging conditions or currents of a liveaboard's itineraries in the Maldives or Philippines. The AZALEA wreck is suitable for divers with intermediate experience.
What is the best time of year to dive with the Azalea liveaboard in the Maldives or to visit the dive sites it accesses in the Philippines?
The provided data describes the AZALEA as a specific wreck dive site in Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, not a liveaboard operating in the Maldives or Philippines. Therefore, information regarding the best time of year for such liveaboard trips is not available in this context. For general guidance on diving seasons, you might consult DivePlnr's When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications and minimum logged dives are required to join an Azalea liveaboard trip?
The provided data describes the AZALEA as an intermediate difficulty wreck dive site in Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, not a liveaboard. As such, specific certification and minimum logged dive requirements for an Azalea liveaboard trip are not detailed in this context. Divers visiting the AZALEA wreck should possess an intermediate level of diving experience.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the dive sites frequented by the Azalea liveaboard?
The provided data describes the AZALEA as a specific wreck dive site in Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, with an intermediate difficulty. It does not contain information about typical current conditions or visibility at dive sites frequented by an Azalea liveaboard in the Maldives or Philippines. Divers exploring the AZALEA wreck should be prepared for conditions typical of an intermediate wreck dive in the UK.