COALMAN

Protected Area

Killard

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - COALMAN 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 40m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Coalman wreck, for us, is one of those Northumberland dives that keeps pulling you back. It’s not about huge, intact structures; this is a distributed wreck, scattered across the seabed at 40 metres. You'll find sections of hull plating, twisted beams, and engine components – each piece telling a story of a ship that met a violent end. We love that this site feels like an archaeological dig every time. It’s a hunt, piecing together the vessel's outline from the debris field. Look closely among the wreckage, and you’ll find plenty of life: blennies peeking from bolt holes, velvet swimming crabs scuttling over corroded metal, and sometimes, a gurnard or two rooting around in the sand nearby. The real appeal here is the sense of discovery; it suits divers who enjoy a challenge and appreciate the subtle beauty of a wreck reclaimed by the North Sea. Our favourite approach is to pick a section, examine it thoroughly, and then navigate to the next discernible piece, letting the current guide your exploration. Keep an eye on your bottom time, though; 40 metres comes quickly.