Wreck of Strathspey

Protected Area

Salt Pans Bay

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 Strathspey 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 Strathspey, a victim of a mine in 1941, sits upright on the seabed off Northumberland, a real favourite of ours for its sheer scale and the eerie, intact nature of the stern section. Dropping down, you’re greeted by the ghostly silhouette of the propeller and rudder, often swarming with pollack darting through the metalwork. We love navigating the cavernous holds, keeping an eye out for lobsters tucked into every crevice, while dogfish often hunker down in the sand around the perimeter. The visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the North Sea, but on a good day, exploring the exposed bow section, with its collapsed forecastle, feels like stepping back in time. For divers who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a chill, this wreck offers a genuinely atmospheric dive, especially if you catch it when the light filters down through the green water. It's a proper adventure, best tackled with some drysuit experience and a good torch.