EXCELLENT - Northumberland & Northeast

The wreck of the Excellent off Northumberland is one of our absolute favourites in this part of the UK, especially when the visibility is on its side. This old sailing vessel, lost back in 1926 while on passage to Kilkeel, has settled upright on the seabed at a consistent 17 metres. It’s a proper dive, feeling genuinely like an archaeological site. You can often see the bowsprit still pointing out into the gloom, and the main deck is surprisingly intact in places. We love poking around the hold, which is now home to some sizeable lobsters and crabs. Look closely for the smaller stuff too: nudibranchs are always a good find here, clinging to the encrusted timbers, and every now and then a cheeky wolfish pokes its head out from under a plate. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration rather than speed. This site suits divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a current sometimes. When the conditions line up – calm seas and a good tide – it’s a truly atmospheric dive, a real sense of stepping back in time.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.375250, -4.213698

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

17m

Marine Protected Area: Traeth Lligwy