IRIS DEAN

Protected Area

Little Ness

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - IRIS DEAN 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 15m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Iris Dean is a proper North Sea wreck, not some purpose-sunk playground. She ran aground back in '91, a 17.4m fishing vessel, and now she lies in about 15 metres. We love how accessible she is, just a short boat ride out from Seahouses. You’re typically dropping onto the stern, often right onto the propeller, which is a great place to start. What strikes you first is how she’s become part of the seabed. Crabs scuttle in the nooks, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky lobsters tucked away in the bigger gaps. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is up here, but when it’s good, the light catching the kelp that’s draped over the superstructure is fantastic. You can poke around the wheelhouse area, though much of it has collapsed over time, it’s still fun to imagine the old girl in her working days. It’s a great dive for anyone comfortable in temperate waters, perfect for getting a real feel for North Sea wreck diving without the challenging depths. Keep an eye out for the odd wolf fish under a plate; they’re surprisingly common here.