CITY OF BRUSSELS

Protected Area

Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - CITY OF BRUSSELS 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 22m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The CITY OF BRUSSELS, sitting at 22 metres, is a serious piece of maritime history and a proper dive. We’re talking about a steamship built in 1869, sunk in 1883. It’s a big wreck, nearly 120 metres long, and while time and tides have taken their toll, you can still get a real sense of its scale. Our favourite part is the engine room, or what’s left of it. You can picture the colossal machinery that once drove her. Around the exposed frames and plates, you’ll find plenty of inquisitive ballan wrasse, and sometimes we’ve spotted a ling poking its head out from under a girder. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is off the Northumberland coast, so we’d suggest aiming for slack water on a neap tide for the best chance of a clear run. It makes a huge difference when you can properly appreciate the sheer size of the wreck. This site is definitely one for experienced wreck divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a rummage in the murk. It’s not about bright colours here, it’s about the atmosphere and the sheer weight of history.