CASTILIAN

Protected Area

The Skerries

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - CASTILIAN 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 21m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Castilian is a proper diver's wreck, lying broken but still impressive in around 21 metres. We love dropping down onto her and seeing the sheer scale of the cargo holds, sometimes with big cod nosing around the shadows. This isn't a wreck you swim through end-to-end, but there’s enough here to keep you busy for a whole dive, especially if you’re into exploring the machinery spaces – the triple expansion engine is still recognisable. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is off the Northumberland coast, but on a good day, when the light penetrates, it’s magical seeing the sheer size of her. You’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices and often schools of saithe swirling above the higher sections of the wreck. Our favourite bit is exploring the bow section, it’s a little more intact and feels like stepping back in time. This site is great for experienced wreck divers who appreciate a substantial piece of history rather than just pretty coral. Just be mindful of the currents; they can pick up, so timing your dive with slack water is crucial.