Wreck of Irene
Protected Area
Isle of Whithorn 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 Irene offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.
The Irene isn’t about big pelagics or colourful reef fish, but if you’re into proper North Sea wreck diving, this one’s a beauty. Lying in around 30 metres, it’s often overlooked for some of its more famous neighbours, which is exactly why we love it. The visibility can be challenging, a typical North Sea green, but when it clears, the intact bow section is just fantastic. We’ve spent hours here, poking around the holds, imagining the cargo, with hundreds of squat lobsters scuttling away from our lights. Conger eels are a given, their heads protruding from every nook and cranny, and the deck plating is thick with dead man's fingers. Our tip? Dive it on slack water, even if it means an early start. That way you can really take your time and appreciate the scale of the vessel, which for a steamship launched in 1898, is remarkably well preserved. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who don't mind a bit of a current and appreciate history over tropics.
Typical Wreck of Irene Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
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Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Irene
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