CHACABUCO (POSSIBLY)

Protected Area

Great Orme

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - CHACABUCO (POSSIBLY) 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 27m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Chacabuco, or what we strongly suspect is the Chacabuco, sits upright at 27 metres, a truly compelling piece of history under the North Sea. We love this dive because it’s a proper wreck dive – atmospheric, a little silty, and always full of surprises. The collision with the SS Torch in 1907 left her in a tangled but recognisable state; you can still trace the lines of her deck and pick out the ribs of her hull. There’s a beautiful density to the life here. Think huge numbers of dead man's fingers, their orange and cream polyps swaying with the surge, and the occasional wolf fish peering out from beneath a collapsed beam. We've found the best visibility tends to be on an incoming tide. Keep an eye out for the resident ling, they often shelter deep within the more intact sections. It’s a dive that rewards careful exploration, perfect for those who appreciate a wreck with a story, rather than just a structure.