Regina Caelis

Protected Area

Granagh Bay

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Regina Caelis 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 2m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Regina Caelis, resting in the shallows off Portaferry, isn't your typical deep-sea wreck dive, and that's precisely why we love it. This three-masted schooner, sunk in 2017, offers an incredible opportunity for extended shallow dives, perfect for honing skills or just enjoying a long, relaxed exploration. At a maximum depth of 2 meters, you can spend ages examining the hull, the remains of its masts, and the intriguing nooks and crannies where life has quickly taken hold. We’ve seen everything from tiny blennies peeking out of holes to small crabs scuttling across the deck. Sunlight filters beautifully through the clear water, illuminating the developing algae and the subtle colours of the wreck. Our favourite tip? Go on a calm day, ideally around slack tide, when the visibility is at its best and you can truly appreciate the scale of this comparatively new artificial reef. It’s a genuinely unique spot, offering a serene, close-up encounter with a vessel still very much in the process of becoming a permanent part of the seabed. It suits anyone looking for a low-stress dive with plenty to observe, especially photographers and those new to wreck diving.