ELMARINE - Northumberland & Northeast

The Elmarine isn't about huge pelagics or technicolour reefs. This is a proper UK wreck dive, steeped in history and now a magnet for local marine life. We've always been fascinated by her story – a concrete barge, sunk in 1919 and then, bizarrely, salvaged and broken up, leaving a scattered but still substantial footprint on the seabed. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer solidity of the concrete hull sections. They're big, surprisingly angular, and provide fantastic shelter. We love swimming through the larger gaps, feeling the slight pull of the current as it funnels through, knowing we're in the bones of a century-old vessel. Conger eels are a common sight, peering out from shadowy crevices, and we’ve spotted some impressively large edible crabs scuttling across the seabed here. The depth is perfect for extended bottom times, letting you properly explore the nooks and crannies. Our favourite time to dive the Elmarine is on a calm, sunny day when the light penetrates just enough to pick out the detail on the concrete. It’s a site that rewards slow, careful exploration, a piece of industrial heritage now reclaimed by the North Sea.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.525240, -3.129115

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

16m

Marine Protected Area: Ravenmeols Hills