Benholm

Protected Area

Llanbadrig - Dinas Gynfor

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Benholm 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 45m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Benholm. Now there’s a proper wreck dive for you. We love the history here; it’s a collision wreck, sunk back in 1898 after meeting the SS Klondyke. You really feel that weight of maritime history when you descend. Dropping down, the first thing that hits you is the sheer scale. At 71.9m long, she’s a big girl, and resting in 45m, this is one for the more experienced among us, no doubt about it. The stern section is our favourite part to explore, with its huge propeller often still visible. The wreck has been down a long time, so everything is draped in an incredible array of anemones, soft corals, and dead man’s fingers. Look closely into the nooks and crannies – you’ll often spot a wolf fish peeking out, or a conger eel coiled in a dark corner. Schools of juvenile coalfish often swirl around the superstructure, creating these shimmering walls of silver. The visibility in the Northeast can be hit or miss, but when it’s good, Benholm truly shines. We always try to time our dives for slack water; the currents here can be powerful, and you want time to properly explore without fighting the flow. It’s a site that rewards multiple visits, revealing new details each time you descend.

Typical Benholm Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 45m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

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

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3817:3310h 55m daylightGolden hour 16:45

Benholm Wreck History

Year Sunk

1898

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

collision

The SS Benholm was a typical coastal steamship of the late 19th century. Her career came to a sudden and violent end on the night of May 14th, 1898. While on a routine passage from Liverpool to Cardiff, she was involved in a catastrophic collision with another steamer, the SS Klondyke, about 12 miles off Lynas Point, Anglesey, and quickly sank beneath the waves.

A layer of mystery surrounds this particular wreck site. While historical records definitively place the Benholm's sinking off the coast of Wales, this wreck lies far to the northeast, off the Northumberland coast. This significant discrepancy raises intriguing questions for the divers who explore her. Is this truly the Benholm, perhaps moved by a failed salvage attempt or simply misidentified over the decades? Or is it another vessel entirely, a forgotten casualty of the sea?

Sitting at a challenging depth of 45 meters, this wreck is a dive for the technically trained. The mystery of its identity adds a compelling element to the exploration. As you descend through the cool, green water, you are not just visiting a wreck; you are investigating a historical puzzle, examining the remains of a late-Victorian steamship and searching for clues that might finally confirm its name.