OLINDA - Northumberland & Northeast

The Olinda is a site we’ve always had a soft spot for, despite its lack of depth. This isn’t a deep dive, sitting almost at 0m, so it’s perfect for a long, relaxed exploration. What you’ll find here is a classic steamship wreck, dating back to 1854. We love the history of it – she was on her way from Liverpool to Brazil, carrying a valuable cargo and 20 passengers when she went down. Today, the Olinda is more of a scattering of substantial hull plates and ribbing, rather than an intact vessel. It’s well-broken, but still very evocative. You’ll spend your time sifting through the remains, spotting the ghostly outline of what was once a grand ship. This is a brilliant spot for macro photography. Look closely among the plates and you’ll find squat lobsters tucked into crevices, nudibranchs grazing on the algae, and often, small inquisitive wrasse darting in and out of the metalwork. It’s also a good one for newer wreck divers, giving you the feel of a historical site without any significant depth or penetration. Head here on a calm day; even though it’s shallow, surge can make it less enjoyable.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.416355, -4.510885

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

0m

Marine Protected Area: Cemlyn Bay