Wreck of Mary Alice

Protected Area

Drummains Reedbed

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 Mary Alice 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 Mary Alice is a favourite of ours for a reason. Not because it’s a grand wreck, but because it feels like stepping into a cold, silty time capsule. She lies broken, spread across the seabed, the stern and bow sections a fair distance apart, tempting you to make a long swim in the chill. We love tracing the propeller shaft, often finding conger eels peering from dark recesses. There’s a distinct feeling of history here, the metalwork draped in dead man’s fingers and hydroids, swaying gently in the surge. Look closely for the smaller stuff – nudibranchs are always a good find, and the crabs here are notoriously grumpy. This site is for divers who appreciate the story of a wreck more than its intactness, who don’t mind a bit of current, and who get a kick out of a genuine exploration rather than a swim-through. Keep an eye on the tides; slack water is your friend for a more relaxed potter around her scattered remains.