Wreck of Madras

Protected Area

Shoulder o' Craig

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 Madras 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 Madras is an exercise in imagination and a proper adventure, British style. We’re not talking tropical colours here, but a dramatic, broken-up wreck that feels genuinely historic. Sitting at around 20 metres, she’s a big steamship, and the way she’s fallen apart creates fantastic swim-throughs and nooks. You’ll weave through huge plates of steel, past massive boilers, and the engine room is always a favourite for a good rummage. What we love most is the sheer density of life that calls this place home. Conger eels peer out from every dark corner, some of them absolute monsters. Lobsters and crabs scuttle across the seabed, and the entire structure is thick with plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying in the current. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the North Sea, so pick a day with a settled forecast. But even in a bit of gloom, the Madras has this incredible, moody atmosphere. It’s a dive that rewards careful exploration, perfect for drysuit-trained divers who appreciate a bit of history and don't mind a proper expedition.