SAINT OLAF

Protected Area

Ynys Mon/Anglesey

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - SAINT OLAF 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 18m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

There’s a quiet satisfaction in diving the *Saint Olaf*, a proper North Sea wreck that feels like a forgotten piece of history. We’ve visited a few times now, and each dive reveals a bit more of her secrets. Lying at 18 metres, she’s a sturdy steel steamship, well broken but still very much a wreck, not just a pile of plates. You can trace the lines of her hull, pick out the ribs, and even poke your head into some of the more open sections. What we really love about the *Saint Olaf* is the way the sea has reclaimed her. The metal is thick with plumose anemones, creating these white, feathery blankets that sway gently in the surge. Look closer, and you'll spot crabs scuttling amongst the debris, and we’ve often seen shoals of coalfish darting through the superstructure. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration, letting your eyes adjust to the gloom and pick out the details. For divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of chill, she's a fantastic site, especially on a calm day when the visibility extends to a respectable ten metres. Head out early to catch the best of the light.