ELLEN SHEANT

Protected Area

West Coast

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - ELLEN SHEANT 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 11m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The *Ellen Sheant* might not be the deepest wreck in the UK, but we think it’s one of the most characterful dives you’ll find off the Northumberland coast. Lying flat on a sandy seabed at just 11 metres, this 9-metre fishing vessel sank back in 1978, and time has been kind to her, transforming her into a mini-reef. You can really get a sense of her working life here. Her wooden hull is largely intact, especially the stern, which still has a fair amount of structure, and the wheelhouse outline is clear. We love nosing around the engine room, which is often full of small cod and wrasse darting between the rusty machinery. The mast lies across the deck, providing shelter for crabs and blennies. We'd suggest going at slack water, as currents can pick up a bit, though never too strong to make it unmanageable. Look for the anemones, in particular, covering much of the hull. It's an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for newer wreck divers or photographers wanting to practice their skills on something more intimate than a scattered debris field.