Wreck of Viken - Northumberland & Northeast

The Viken, just off St Mary’s Island, is one of our absolute favourite Northumberland wreck dives, especially for those looking to explore a proper piece of maritime history. She’s a Swedish cargo steamer, sunk in 1915, and while you won't find pristine coral, the wreck itself is fantastically intact in places, sitting on a sandy seabed. We love dropping down and seeing her stern rising up from the gloom, often draped in thick kelp. Inside, you can really get a sense of her working life. The boilers are huge, a truly impressive sight, and there are still plenty of structural elements to navigate through; we often spot conger eels poking their heads out from behind twisted metal beams. Visibility can be a bit variable, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering down, the sight of thousands of small fish schooling around the ribs of the ship is just fantastic. It's a dive that rewards careful exploration and a keen eye for detail, rather than just drifting by. Our top tip: dive it on a slack tide, you'll have so much more time to poke around.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

54.631123, -4.869554

Type

wreck

Marine Protected Area: Mull of Galloway