SONTIIRE
Protected Area
West of Walney
Why dive here
With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - SONTIIRE offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.
The Sontiiire, a merchant cruiser that went down in 1982, offers a solid dive for those exploring the Northumberland coast. We usually drop onto the main deck at around 30m, and the whole wreck sits upright, largely intact. You can spend a good portion of a dive poking around the superstructure, particularly the bridge area. While it’s not dripping in colour like some tropical reefs, we often find a decent number of lobsters tucked into crevices, plenty of wrasse darting about, and sometimes even a curious conger eel peering out from the deeper sections. It’s a good one for divers with a bit of wreck experience looking for a relaxed, straightforward explore.
Typical SONTIIRE Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (33m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
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