ORIOLE

Protected Area

The Skerries

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - ORIOLE 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 21m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Oriole, a sailing vessel that met its end on a Northumberland rock, might only be 9.8 metres long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. We love how the wreck has settled, almost merging with the rocky seabed at 21 metres. It’s a site where you really feel the history, imagining the last moments of that little ship. What we really enjoy about Oriole is the surprising amount of life it attracts. You’ll often find schools of saithe swirling around the remaining hull, and the nooks and crannies are perfect for crabs and lobsters. Our favourite trick is to take a torch and peer into the darker sections, often spotting blennies or even a curious dogfish tucked away. It's not a dive for grand swim-throughs, but for patient exploration and macro photography, it’s a quiet delight. This dive really suits those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a small wreck, the way nature reclaims it, rather than divers chasing big pelagics.