Wreck of John And Eliza

Protected Area

Cree Estuary

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 John And Eliza 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 · max 15-30m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Now, the *John and Eliza*-this is one for the history buffs who don’t mind a bit of a chill. We think it’s a properly atmospheric dive, especially when the visibility is playing ball. You drop down onto a wooden schooner, scattered across the seabed at around 20 metres, and it feels like stepping back into a different era. Our favourite part has to be tracing the line of the keelson, imagining the ship intact, and then poking around the ribs that stick up like skeletal fingers. It’s not a deep dive, making bottom time generous, which we appreciate because there’s a surprising amount to take in. You’ll find squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, and often a decent sized cod or two cruising through the timbers. We've even spotted a wolf fish lurking on occasion. It’s definitely a dive for those who enjoy exploring the structure of a wreck, rather than expecting big pelagics. If you go, try to time it for a slack tide; the currents here can be a bit of a nuisance.