HMS CULLIST

Protected Area

Kilkeel Steps

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - HMS CULLIST 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 48m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The HMS Cullist is a deep, moody dive, perfect for those with a technical streak and a love for history. Lying at 48 metres, she’s a decoy ship, a Q-ship from WWI, and you can still feel that deception in her structure. We love the way she sits upright, mostly intact, giving you a real sense of her original form. Dropping down, the visibility in the North Sea can be a bit of a gamble, but when it’s good, you’ll find the deck guns still in place, pointing skyward, eerie in the gloom. The torpedo damage is evident, a jagged tear in her side. Look closely, and you’ll spot huge edible crabs tucked into crevices, lobsters peering from behind twisted metal, and often, a resident wolfish or two makes an appearance. Exploring the bow and stern sections, you can make out the torpedo tubes. It’s a serious dive, a proper piece of history, so pick a slack tide and make sure your gas planning is spot on. She’s not for the faint-hearted, but for experienced wreck divers, she’s our favourite kind of adventure.