Name: The Farne Islands
Rating: 5.0

England

Northumberland

United Kingdom

The Farne Islands is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in United Kingdom, Europe which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

The Farne Islands

The wreck of the St. Andre which sank in 1908 carrying a cargo of pig iron. Most dives start by descending down the wall and swimming along with the wall on your left. The wreckage can be found near the wall and girders and ribs lead out to the boilers. The wreck is mostly flattened so can be difficult to find in times of low vis. It is also possible to see seals here.

By boat from Seahouses or Beadnell.

St. Andre

The site is a shallower dive usually used as a second dive. It is also a sheltered site if the weather is bad. The dive starts at around 6 metres in an area of kelp and continues on to a deeper rocky bottom. Good site to see seals as there is a colony nearby. They will often swim near the boat during kitting up as well.

By boat from Seahouses or Beadnell.

Big Harcar

The site is named after the blue tone of the rocks above the surface. Divers circumnavigate the island travelling through a shallow gully on the way. Seal can be seen here, as well as impressive walls of Sea Urchins and Anemone. 

By boat from Beadnell or Seahouses

Blue Caps

The site of the Propeller of the Chris Christenson, which broke off when it hit the Longstone Reef. The wreck lies nearby in deeper water.
The propeller stands around 3 metres off the seabed and still has part of the shaft connected to it. Divers can also explore the gullies and steep walls of Longstone island. The walls are covered in Dead Mans Fingers and some soft coral.
Seals can also be seen on this dives.

A boat is required to reach this site. RIBs and Hardboats normally launch from either Seahouses or Beadnell.

Christenson Propeller is also known as Propeller of the Chris Christenson.

Christenson Propeller

Around 3,000 seals live in this area. This makes for great diving as the seals can be very interactive. Other than wreck of Abyssinia, which is very nice with two large boilers and various wreckage, it is really only worth diving for the seals. Lots of kelp in the area. Depth can be kept shallow at 5-10M, possibly 15-20m if needed. Diving with the seals is an amazing experience.

Dived by boat from Beadnell or Seahouses

Farne Islands Seals

A popular site due to the proximity to one of the seal colonies. The dive consists of a wall with three gullies to explore. They lead into the island but are not enclosed at the surface. The seals here are very playful and its not uncommon to see them lieing on the sandy seabed.

By boat from Seahouses or Beadnell

The Hopper

The wreck of the SS Abessinia, which hit the rocks around Knivestone and sank in 1921. She was a 5,700 ton German Steamer. The wreck is broken up in places but you can still see the engine, boilers and anchor.
The wreck lies in a area covered in soft coral growth with excellent visibility due to the currents. As with all sites in the Farne Islands, you are very likely to see seals on the surface, as well as pups joining you while diving.
The wreck lies between rocks which form a variety of gullies to explore after you have seen the wreck.
SMB's are required to surface with, due to currents usually picking up at the end of a dive.

A boat is required to reach the site. Hardboats and RIBs usually launch from either Seahouses or Beadnell. Best dived at slack water to avoid currents.

Abessinia Wreck

Dive at slack-water only. The Somali lies about 1800 metres offshore, due east of Beadnell village. The seabed is sand/shale with small reefs. The vessel is well broken, the engine and boilers being the biggest identifiable parts. These show up well on an echo-sounder, types with a wide-beam sensor make location easier. A 4 inch gun is still visible at the stern, - although now lying on its side among the debris on the west side of the wreckage; its partner seems to have disappeared or is now buried under plates, no doubt the result of salvage work on the cargo which occurs from time to time. The engine is home to large pollack and bib and stands about 35 metres away across piles of girders, pipes, gas cylinders, plates and what seems to be a cement bag reef (cargo). The areas east, and south of the engine are good for rummaging - producing assorted bottles (medicine?), cosmetics jars, film, cutlery, wine bottles and ceramic electrical fittings. Part of the cargo must have been vehicle batteries and tyres as there seems to be rather a lot of them around. Rumour has it that a microscope was found here some years ago. South & west of the engine are the five huge boilers - still intact, beyond these the wreckage is well scattered and less piled-up, it's easy to swim off the wreck and loose it in this area if the vis is poor so don't venture too far. The wreck is home to large pollack, cod, bib and shoals of saithe during the summer. As a result it's popular with anglers so beware of discarded line and hooks.

Farne Isles. She is usually buoyed but this only surfaces at or close to slack water - often too late to get two waves of divers in. If you're (un)fortunate enough to be the first or only ones on site, the best tactic is to drop a buoyed shot at the GPS position and do a circular search with the 'sounder around this until you get a trace then drop anchor there. She lies approximately N-S, the stern being to the north.

Somali Wreck is also known as The Somali.

Somali Wreck

Enter the site from the rocky beach and follow the reef wall on your right out to the point and back. Theres plenty of wildlife and a kelp forest to explore. The site is shallow to start with and gradually gets deeper. Good for training near the beach.

There is also a nearby fill station, See Farne Diving Services website for info.

A cafe in the village down the road from the fill station, and a burger van in the car park for the harbour.  Car park here is also used for boat launching for the Farne Islands and Somali.

Straight in from the road.  Park up somewhere without obstructing traffic and its a short walk of 10 - 15 meters down a pebbly beach into Knacker Hole.  

Knacker Hole

The bay between Knackers Hole and Beadnall Point contains a reef on either side and a sandy area in the middle. Entry from the beach leads on to a rocky area which gradually becomes a sandy base. Bottom slopes gradually out till 10 metres deep, were it drops by another few metres in depth. Lots of growth and kelp around the reef area. A selection of fish, as well as Lobsters and Scallops can be seen around the site.

There is also a nearby fill station, See Farne Diving Services website for info.

Park on Habour Road next to Knackers Hole and head south past the lighthouse. At busy times, kit may have to be dropped off and car left in the car park at the end of the road. You can gain access to the beach directly by climbing down a small hill, or take a path a little further south.

Lady Hole

The Fifth Point Diving Centre

Aquanorth

Sunderland Scuba Centre

Scuba Diver Training Ltd

Deep Blue Scuba

Divebunker Ltd

Deep Sea World Aquarium

Scuba T's

Freedom Diving

Scuba Diving Scotland

The Farne islands are an amazingly understated resource, but with seals almost guaranteed to all divers and the stunning scenery both above and below the water they are a real treat! The reef and wreck diving in this mini archipelago is truly astounding, but the weather can be a bit British and so one of the excellent local firms is recommended as a starting point for first timers. The majority of wreck dives are best undertaken by boat; however, there is always sheltered shore diving available as the tide only affects one side of the islands at a time.

The Farne Islands

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at The Farne Islands