VIVAR
Protected Area
Holyhead Mountain
Why dive here
With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - VIVAR offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.
The Vivar, a steamship that went down in 1873 after a collision, offers a decent delve into history off the Northumberland coast. We’ve found her lying quite deep at 46 meters, so this one's for the more experienced technical divers. Despite the depth, the wreck itself is pretty intact in places, the iron frames giving shelter to a surprising number of wrasse and a resident conger eel or two. It’s not the most colourful dive, but the sense of exploring a Victorian-era casualty, now home to North Sea life, makes it a worthwhile trip for those keen on wreck history.
Typical VIVAR Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 46m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
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.
Reviews for VIVAR
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for VIVAR
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