ORIZAVA (OR URIZAZA) - Northumberland & Northeast

The Orizava, or Urizaza if you prefer the original Spanish spelling, is a delightful little wreck that often gets overlooked up here. She’s not deep, just 4 metres, making her perfect for an easy dive when the North Sea is playing nice. What we love about her is how accessible she is, even for newer divers getting their first taste of proper wreck diving. We’ve spent many a slack tide exploring her timbers. She was a sailing vessel, sunk way back in 1879, and time has worn her down beautifully. You can still make out the ribs and some of the hull plating, now completely encrusted with plumose anemones swaying gently in the surge. Look closer, and you’ll spot blennies peeking from crevices, and sometimes a grumpy velvet crab will scuttle out from under a beam. It’s a peaceful dive, a real step back in time, offering a lovely glimpse into maritime history without the pressure of depth or strong currents. Just pick a calm day, and you’ll have a grand time.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.356100, -2.926912
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Marine Protected Area: New Ferry

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to ORIZAVA (OR URIZAZA)

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