CITY OF LUCKNOW

Protected Area

Outer Belfast Lough

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 LUCKNOW 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 3m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The City of Lucknow offers something a bit different, a proper dive into history. It’s a shallow wreck, only three metres deep, sitting on the Salt Pan Rocks. This isn't a site for ripping currents or big pelagics, but for divers who love getting up close with a piece of the past. We think it’s a brilliant spot for newer divers, or anyone keen on a longer bottom time without the narcosis. What you get is a 60-metre sailing vessel, driven ashore in a gale back in 1861. The hull is still there, spread out, with some significant structural timbers poking up. You can trace the lines of the ship, which we find really evocative. The wood itself is amazing, dark and waterlogged, providing countless nooks for juvenile wrasse and blennies. Look closely, and you'll find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices. The light filtering through the clear Northumberland water at that depth makes the whole experience quite serene. Our favourite moments here are spent slowly finning over the debris field, imagining the ship in its prime, and seeing how marine life has repurposed it over the last 160 years. Definitely one for a calm day; strong surges can make it a bit of a tumble dryer.