Wreck of Glenwilliam

Protected Area

Grennan 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 Glenwilliam 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

Diving the Glenwilliam is a proper journey back in time, and for us, it's one of the best wreck dives in the northeast. We love how much of her remains, especially the bow section, still standing proud and relatively intact. You can really get a sense of her size, pushing through shoals of saithe and cod that treat the holds as their personal apartment block. It's a dark dive, often, with that silty North Sea light, but it adds to the atmosphere. We always feel a real sense of history down there. The cargo of coal often lies scattered, and in decent visibility, you can pick out bits of superstructure, plating, and even the occasional porthole, if you’re lucky. It's a brilliant dive for those who enjoy exploring the bones of a ship, feeling the passage of time. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into crevices and the occasional large crab scuttling across the deck plates. We find the best time to dive her is on a neap tide, right on slack water, to avoid any serious current. It’s certainly not one for the faint-hearted or new divers, demanding good buoyancy and experience in low visibility.