Farne Islands - Diving

Diving

As well as being popular with bird watchers, the Farne Islands are a popular scuba diving location, with a variety of sites suitable for all levels of diver. The islands appeal to divers for the seals and wrecks. The grey seal colony at the Farnes numbers about 5,000. They are curious and will often look in on divers in the water and are impressive to watch underwater.

Hundreds of ships have been wrecked on the Farnes over the years, providing plenty for wreck divers to look at. Among them are:

• Chris Christenson, a Danish steamer that sank on 16 February 1915. She lies close into the reef off the south tip of Longstone, Outer Farnes in about 30-35m at (55°38.397′N 1°36.182′W / 55.63995°N 1.603033°W / 55.63995; -1.603033).
• Abessinia, a 453 ft German steamship that drove onto Knifestone, Outer Farnes, on 3 September 1921. She lies in about 9-20m at (55°38.9′N 1°36.12′W / 55.6483°N 1.602°W / 55.6483; -1.602).
• Brittania, a 740t, 210 ft British cargo/passenger steamship that struck the Callers, Outer Farnes, in thick fog on 25 September 1915. The wreckage lies between about 8m-30m at (55°37.688′N 1°35.991′W / 55.628133°N 1.59985°W / 55.628133; -1.59985).
• St Andre was a 1120t French steamship carrying pig iron. On 28 October 1908 she hit the Crumstone and floated off to sink finally at Staple island. She lies in about 17m-25m at (55°37.84′N 1°37.18′W / 55.63067°N 1.61967°W / 55.63067; -1.61967).

It is generally possible to dive at the Farnes regardless of wind direction. There is always shelter somewhere. Some dive locations even provide the opportunity to combine diving and bird watching, in particular the Pinnacles, where Guillemots can be found fishing at safety stop depth.