Wreck of Antigua Packet

Protected Area

Solway Firth

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Wreck of Antigua Packet 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 15-30m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Wreck of the Antigua Packet is one of those sites we always recommend to divers looking for something a bit different, a real taste of the UK’s maritime history. She was a wooden brig, lost in a storm in 1863, and what remains now is scattered but evocative: timbers emerging from the sand like ancient bones, a substantial amount of copper sheeting, and her anchor chain snaking across the seabed. We love picking our way through the debris field, imagining the chaos of that night. The beauty here isn't in coral, obviously, but in the life that has claimed the wreck. Crabs scuttle from beneath copper plates, curious wrasse eye you from the gloom, and sometimes a chunky conger eel peeks out from a shadowy recess. Visibility can be a typical North Sea mix, from a murky ten metres to a surprisingly clear twenty, so pick your day. Slack water is crucial for a relaxed exploration, allowing you to really absorb the atmosphere of this forgotten vessel. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history, enjoy a bit of treasure hunting for artifacts (eyes only, of course), and don't mind a chillier plunge.