NEPTUNE - Northumberland & Northeast

The Neptune is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to, a proper North Sea classic. She’s a barge, sunk back in 1894, not far from where the SS Aurania went down, about 30 yards northwest of the South Cunard buoy. We love her because she’s not huge, but she’s got real character, sitting upright and mostly intact at 15 metres. It’s an easy dive, perfect for just cruising over the deck and getting a feel for the shape of an old working vessel. What you’ll really notice is how much the marine life has taken over. The metalwork is completely encrusted with dead man’s fingers, all those creamy white polyps swaying in the slight current. You’ll spot crabs tucked into every nook, their eyes glinting in your torch beam, and we often see conger eels peering out from under collapsed sections. Our favourite time to dive her is on a slack tide, just after high water, when visibility is usually at its best, letting you appreciate the whole outline. It’s a great introduction to North Sea wreck diving, honest and full of life.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.381927, -2.998015

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

15m

Marine Protected Area: New Ferry