Wreck of City Of Madras

Protected Area

Salt Pans 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 - Wreck of City Of Madras 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The City of Madras wreck, off the Northumberland coast, is a proper adventure. It sits upright, mostly intact, and feels like stepping back into maritime history. We love picking out the details, like the portholes still in place, or tracing the decks where her crew once walked. This isn't a brightly coloured coral dive, but it’s full of atmosphere. Think huge schools of coalfish swirling around the masts, conger eels peeking from every dark corner, and the occasional inquisitive grey seal darting past. The visibility can be moody, as is often the case in the North Sea, but when it’s good, the light filtering down through the green water gives the wreck an almost ethereal glow. We always suggest diving it on slack water, and preferably during a neap tide, to really make the most of the penetration opportunities into the holds. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and the rugged beauty of cold-water wrecks, not for the faint of heart or those expecting tropical warmth.