Wreck of Middleton

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 Middleton 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 Middleton isn’t just a pile of steel on the seabed, it’s a proper dive into history. This steam trawler, sunk by a mine in 1918, lies broken but still recognisable, with parts of her bow and stern standing proud, giving you plenty to poke around in. We love how the strong currents here keep the water moving, often bringing in good visibility, though it can make for a lively drift. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale, then the way the deck plating has peeled back like tin foil. Conger eels are a common sight, often peering out from under collapsed sections, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky lobsters tucked away in the darker recesses. For us, the best dives are when the light penetrates just right, illuminating the jewelled anemones that carpet every surface, making the steel glow with colour. It’s a dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a story, and aren’t afraid of a bit of a push, especially if you catch it at slack tide for a more relaxed exploration.