JAN VAN RYSWYCK

Protected Area

Farne Islands

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - JAN VAN RYSWYCK 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 · max 18m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Jan van Ryswyck, resting at 18 metres, is a proper Scottish wreck dive, moody and utterly compelling. We love how much of her remains intact, given she went down in thick fog back in 1924. You drop onto a huge steel hull, 87.5 metres long, and the scale immediately hits you. The twin boilers are still prominent, standing proud of the seabed, and we often find conger eels peering out from gaps in the plates. Exploring the engine room is a highlight. You can follow the drive shaft for a good stretch, imagining the triple-expansion engine at work, though now it's home to shoals of pouting and squat lobsters. We always check the bow for ling lurking in the shadows, and the stern often has a decent current running, bringing in crabs and starfish. It’s a site for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of chill in the water; the low visibility, typical of the East Coast, only adds to the atmosphere. We’d suggest a good torch and a keen eye for detail.