Wreck of Favorite

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 Favorite 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 Favorite isn't one of those wrecks you visit for the sheer scale, but she makes up for it in atmosphere. We love the way she’s settled, upright on the seabed, her wooden hull still remarkably intact in places despite the harsh North Sea. Diving her feels like stepping back in time, the timbers dark and silty, with the occasional glint of metalwork still visible. What makes Favorite special, for us, is the way the local marine life has completely taken over. Big, curious ballan wrasse patrol the decks, often peeking out from behind a collapsed beam. You'll spot velvet swimming crabs scuttling over what used to be her stern, and the anemones, those colourful plumose ones, cling to every available surface, waving gently in the surge. It’s a site that rewards patience; drift over her slowly, take your time peering into crevices, and you’ll start to see the smaller stuff: blennies, gobies, and even the occasional squat lobster if you’re lucky. Current can be a factor here, so we always prefer a slack tide dive to properly soak it all in. Visibility in the North Sea is never a given, but on a good day, when the light penetrates through the green water, the Favorite truly feels alive. She's a fantastic dive for anyone who appreciates maritime history and the resilience of nature.