PRINCESS VICTORIA

Protected Area

Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - PRINCESS VICTORIA 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 34m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Princess Victoria is just one of those wrecks that gets under your skin. We love how she lies, broken amidships, creating a dramatic, almost theatrical scene on the seabed at 34 metres. Dropping down, you’ll first hit the stern section, still quite upright and recognisable, with the prop shaft leading back to the screw. Then, you swim forward into the twisted steel where the ship broke, feeling the cold water swirl around the jagged edges. It’s a proper north-east wreck dive, usually with decent visibility, maybe 8-10 metres on a good day, but sometimes a bit more. Our favourite part is exploring the two massive boilers, lying flat now, covered in plumose anemones that pulse gently in the current. You’ll find plenty of inquisitive wrasse nosing about in the nooks and crannies, and sometimes a ling or two will peek out from a dark corner. The bow section is a little more broken, but still has that classic wreck feel, completely colonised by life. This dive is for those who appreciate the history and the sheer scale of a big wreck, and who don’t mind a bit of a current. Just pick your slack water window carefully.