HMS BEN HEILEM

Protected Area

Tweed Estuary

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - HMS BEN HEILEM offers some of Scottish East Coast & Borders's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The HMS Ben Heilem isn’t a grand battleship, but for a piece of Scottish East Coast history, she's a cracker. This isn't a deep dive, sitting shallow off Berwick, which makes her an accessible introduction to wreck diving in colder waters. We love how the sea has truly embraced her, turning her steel skeleton into a rough apartment block for crabs and various curious fish. You’ll find her broken up, but still recognisable as a trawler, scattered across a rocky seabed. Peering into what's left of the hull, you can almost imagine the rough life on board back in 1917. Our favourite moments here are often just finding a good vantage point to watch the kelp sway around her ribs, feeling the gentle tug of the surge, and spotting a curious wrasse dart through the wreckage. This site suits divers keen on history, those looking for an easy wreck dive, or anyone wanting to see how nature reclaims man-made structures with a quiet persistence. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as you'd expect off this coast, so pick a calm day with an incoming tide for the best chance of a clear look.