JOSEPH HODGKINS (PROBABLY)

Protected Area

Ramsey, Isle of Man

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - JOSEPH HODGKINS (PROBABLY) 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 18m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Joseph Hodgkins, or what we strongly suspect is her, offers a classic North Sea wreck dive. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the green water, often quite atmospheric. We love how intact she feels for a wreck from 1921; you can still make out the bow and stern, and the engine room is a brilliant swim-through if conditions allow. She’s a real magnet for life, with huge schools of coalfish often circling the mast, and we’ve seen some hefty lobsters tucked into crevices in the plating. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs crawling over the encrusting anemones that carpet the metalwork. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop shaft is still visible, drawing the eye towards the seabed. It’s a site that rewards multiple visits, revealing new details each time the visibility shifts. Stronger tides can make things challenging, so pick your slack water window carefully. It’s a truly rewarding dive for those who appreciate the history beneath the waves.