DUNVEGAN CASTLE - Northumberland & Northeast

The Dunvegan Castle, just a few hundred yards off the Northumberland coast, is one of our favourites for a relaxed afternoon. She’s an iron steamship, sunk back in 1890 after a run-in with the PS Colleen Bawn. Sitting in only 11 metres, she’s really accessible, making her ideal for newer wreck divers or those looking for a longer bottom time without deep deco. We love how much of the Dunvegan Castle is still recognisable. You can trace her hull, find the single boiler, and the compound expansion engine is a fantastic focal point, often swarming with small cod and blennies tucked into every crevice. The iron structure is now a part of the reef, draped in dead man’s fingers and anemones, with shoals of saithe circling above. Our tip: aim for a slack tide to really enjoy picking through the details without battling the current, and bring a good torch – even at this depth, the nooks and crannies are dark. It’s a great dive to practise your wreck navigation on, or simply to drift over and appreciate a piece of maritime history.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.444687, -3.016693

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

11m

Marine Protected Area: Mersey Narrows