Wreck of May

Protected Area

Borgue Coast

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 May 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 Wreck of the May, just off the Northumberland coast, is one of those dives that sticks with you. We love how the strong North Sea currents keep the visibility clean, often a good 10-15 metres, even if it means a bit of a drift sometimes. Dropping down, the May quickly takes shape, a substantial steam trawler lying on her starboard side. What we really enjoy here is the penetration. Her stern is still pretty intact, and you can duck into the engine room, though it’s a tight squeeze. Keep an eye out for conger eels – they’re almost always lurking in the darker corners, big grumpy things. We’ve found wolf fish tucked in amongst the plates near the bow too, their flat faces peering out. The structure itself is a haven for life. Look for the nudibranchs feeding on the soft corals that carpet the metalwork, and the sheer number of blennies darting in and out of every crevice. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the history, the colder water critters, and don’t mind a bit of a bounce on the boat ride out.