HMT ROSE II

Protected Area

Outer Belfast Lough

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - HMT ROSE II 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 24m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Diving the HMT *Rose II* feels like stepping back into a moment of wartime history, almost perfectly preserved. This isn't just a pile of twisted metal; it’s a proper trawler wreck, sunk by a mine in 1917, sitting upright on the seabed at 24 metres. We love how intact she is. You can still make out the bow, the stern, and parts of the superstructure, giving a real sense of her original form. Entering the wheelhouse area, you get a palpable chill, imagining the crew in those final moments. Around the main structure, you'll spot plenty of wrasse darting between the plates and occasionally a monkfish tucked into the sand nearby. The boiler is a big feature, always covered in plumose anemones, creating these soft, waving gardens in the current. Our favourite time to dive her is on a slack tide, an hour either side of high water, when the visibility often opens up to a decent 8-10 metres. It’s a dive that suits experienced cold-water wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a bit of historical weight to their exploration.