Wreck of Lily Of The West

Protected Area

Auchencairn and Orchardton Bays

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 Lily Of The West 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 *Lily of the West* isn’t just a pile of twisted metal; it’s a proper piece of history, and one we always enjoy revisiting. This old iron steamer, torpedoed back in 1918, lies broken but still recognisable, with parts of her bow and stern rising proudly from the seabed. We love picking through the debris field, spotting the big boilers and sections of plating that now host a fantastic array of north-eastern critters. You’ll find wolf fish peering from cracks, their grumpy faces always a welcome sight, alongside squat lobsters scuttling in the shadows. Look closely, and you’ll see plumose anemones swaying gently from every surface, creating a soft, colourful carpet over the dark iron. While the wreck isn't intact, its scattered nature means you can spend a whole dive exploring different sections, imagining the ship as it once was. It’s a dive that rewards patience and a keen eye, perfect for anyone who appreciates maritime history and the hardy life of the UK’s cold waters.