Wreck of Diligence

Protected Area

Luce Bay and Sands

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 Diligence 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

Now, the Diligence. Forget the tropics for a moment, because this wreck, just off St Mary's Island, has a character all its own. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks that feel like a proper dive, and the Diligence delivers. She’s a trawler, sank back in the 1950s, so she’s been down there long enough for the sea to really make her home. What we love about this one is how intact she remains. You can still make out the superstructure, the deck gear, even the bow pointing defiantly towards the surface. Drop down, and you’re immediately enveloped by the gloom, which is, honestly, part of the thrill. Ling and conger eels are everywhere, lurking in the shadows and inside the holds. Look closely and you’ll spot nudibranchs, often some vibrant colours clinging to the metalwork. The depth here means it’s a site for more experienced divers, especially given the typically cooler North Sea temperatures and sometimes variable visibility. But on a good day, when the light penetrates just right, the rust-coloured metal against the green-blue water is genuinely striking. Our favourite spot is exploring the stern, where the prop shaft is often visible, a real nod to her working past. It’s a proper wreck dive, a piece of local history, and a haven for some robust marine life.