MARY HEELEY

Protected Area

Douglas Bay

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - MARY HEELEY 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 6m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The *Mary Heeley* is one of our absolute favourite shallow wreck dives in the Northumberland area, and it’s a brilliant introduction to UK wreck diving without the usual depth challenges. Sunk in 1950 after running aground near Douglas in a thick mist, this 30-metre trawler now lies in just 6 metres of water, spread out across a rocky seabed. It’s perfect for those newer to wreck diving or anyone keen on a longer bottom time without the deco stress. What we love about the *Mary Heeley* is how much character remains, even after all these years. The hull plates are still largely intact, creating plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. We always find plenty of blennies peeking out, and the anenomes and dead man’s fingers that carpet the metalwork are surprisingly colourful, even on a grey day. It’s an ideal site for macro photography, and we’d suggest taking your time to really scour the wreck for the smaller stuff – the light penetration is excellent. Current can pick up a bit, so we prefer slack water for the best experience.