KIRKMICHAEL - Northumberland & Northeast

The Kirkmichael is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you, a proper historical piece just off the Northumberland coast. We love how accessible it is, sitting at a maximum depth of three metres. It means you get really decent bottom time, perfect for a slow exploration of what’s left of the steel barque. Diving the Kirkmichael feels like stepping into a time capsule. You can still make out the ribs and plates of the hull, largely intact despite the century-plus they’ve spent on the seabed. There are often schools of small fish darting through the skeletal remains, and we’ve found some surprisingly vibrant anemones clinging to the darker nooks. It’s a site that suits divers who appreciate history and don’t mind a gentle drift over a shallow, archaeological relic. Keep an eye out for flatfish camouflaged against the sand, especially if you get a bright day; the sunlight really brings out the subtle colours down there.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.329468, -4.621117
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Holyhead Mountain

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to KIRKMICHAEL

Marine Life in Northumberland & Northeast

Home to 132 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 11 sharks & rays, 10 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species