wreck

Log This Dive

CHRISTMAS SEAL

We love a good wreck dive, and the Christmas Seal off Egg Island in Nova Scotia delivers a proper North Atlantic experience. This research vessel went down in 1976 after an engine room fire, and she now rests upright at 50 metres. The depth makes it a technical dive, but for those with the training, it’s a fantastically preserved site. Drop down and you’ll find the wreck largely intact, with the wheelhouse still recognisable. We always appreciate a wreck you can actually identify underwater. Look for the research equipment still lashed to the deck – it really tells the story of her working life. The cold water here means things stay pretty much as they were, without the rapid decay you see in warmer seas. It’s dark down there, so good lights are essential, not just for penetration but to truly appreciate the scale and the details. Marine life has made itself at home, as you’d expect. You’ll spot the usual suspects like Atlantic cod, often hovering in the shadows, and we’ve seen some decent-sized wolf eels tucked into compartments. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, you get a real sense of the ship’s structure. We’d suggest diving this one in late summer or early autumn for the best chance of settled weather and clearer water. It’s a serious dive, but for experienced wreck enthusiasts, the Christmas Seal is a rewarding trip back in time.