DAWN WATERS

Protected Area

West of Copeland

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - DAWN WATERS 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 30m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Dawn Waters, a fishing vessel that went down in 1986, sits upright on the seabed at 30 metres. It’s a good size at 25m, making for a substantial dive when the conditions are right. We love hitting this site on a calm day, especially with a bit of sun filtering through, because the visibility in the North Sea can be a bit of a lottery. The wreck itself is intact enough to give you a real sense of its former life. You can poke around the wheelhouse area and the deck, imagining the crew working here. It’s quickly become home to a host of local characters – expect to see plenty of wrasse darting in and out of the crevices, plus the occasional curious conger eel peering out from a dark corner. Look closely, and you’ll often spot squat lobsters tucked away. This isn't a dive for beginners; you'll want some solid experience under your belt for the depth and often challenging conditions, but for those who love a proper wreck dive with atmosphere, the Dawn Waters really delivers.