Wreck of Lairdsbank

Protected Area

Port Logan

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 Lairdsbank 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 Lairdsbank is a proper adventure, the kind that reminds you why you put up with the chillier waters of the North Sea. We love this wreck for its sheer scale; it’s not just a pile of metal, it’s a whole landscape down there. You drop onto the remains of a substantial cargo ship, torn apart by the elements but still recognisable, with ribs and plates stretching out across the seabed. The bow section is our favourite, often home to decent-sized ling and cod lurking in the shadows. Look carefully among the twisted steel and you’ll spot colourful nudibranchs, often several species on a single beam, along with plumose anemones swaying in the gentle surge. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is up here, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates the green water, the wreck truly comes alive. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and the rugged beauty of a truly wild wreck, not for the faint-hearted or those expecting tropical colours. Plan your dive for slack water to make the most of the exploration, and always carry a good torch – there are plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into.