KATHERINE

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 - KATHERINE 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 30m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Katherine holds a special place for us here in the Northeast. It's not the biggest wreck, sitting in about 30 metres, but her story and the way she’s settled are what make her a standout. She was rammed by the SS Thistle in thick fog, back in 1928, and you can still feel that drama when you descend. We particularly love dropping down the shotline onto her port side, where the hull plates are peeled back like an open tin can, revealing the skeletal ribs within. You’ll find various crabs scuttling over the plates, and often ling lurking in the darker corners. The visibility can be hit-or-miss, as with much of our local diving, but on a good day, when the light penetrates, it's quite atmospheric. We'd suggest aiming for a slack tide – it makes exploring the broken stern section much more enjoyable. It’s a site that rewards slower, more methodical diving, perfect for those who appreciate history and the quiet colonisation of steel by the sea.