HERMINE

Protected Area

Beddmanarch-Cymyran

Why dive here

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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Hermine, a 19th-century sailing vessel, went down in 1890 after striking rocks. What's left of her lies broken up, scattered across the seabed, but that’s precisely what we find so captivating. You’re not getting a pristine, intact wreck here, and that’s fine by us. Instead, it’s a site to really explore, where the sea has had over a century to reclaim its own. We love nosing around the exposed ribs and plates. The hull is largely gone, but the jumble of wreckage provides fantastic shelter, drawing in a surprising amount of life. Crabs scuttle between the broken timbers, and we often spot decent-sized conger eels tucked into the dark recesses. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the Northeast, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering down, the ironwork takes on a moody, atmospheric glow. It’s a dive that rewards patience and a keen eye, perfect for those who enjoy the history as much as the marine life.