Wreck of Sophia

Protected Area

Port Logan

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 Sophia 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 Sophia wreck. You know, the one off St. Mary's Island. This isn’t your deep, dark technical dive, which we love about it. Instead, it’s a brilliant shore dive, or a very short boat ride, depending on your entry point. We tend to head out from Whitley Bay, but a lot of local divers just stride in from the shore around the lighthouse. It’s shallow, only around 7-8 meters on a good tide, making it perfect for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants a relaxed potter. You’ll find the Sophia pretty broken up now, scattered across the seabed like a forgotten toy. But don't let that put you off. It’s less about one grand structure and more about the nooks and crannies. We often spend an hour just weaving through the plates and ribs, finding all sorts of life. Crabs are everywhere, scuttling amongst the wreckage, and if you look closely, you’ll spot blennies and gobies peering out from rusty holes. On a calm day, with a bit of sunlight, the visibility here can be surprisingly good, bathing the whole scene in a murky green glow. It’s a great site for local history buffs and macro photographers alike, offering a different kind of charm to the deeper, more intact wrecks further offshore. Just watch the currents around the island, they can pick up a bit.