ALLY MARIE - Cornwall & Devon

The Ally Marie is one of those sweet little wrecks we keep coming back to. Sitting upright in just 9 metres, this 9.1-metre wooden fishing boat went down in 1986, reportedly taking on water. You can still make out the general shape of the hull, though time and the Channel have done their work. What we love most about it is the sheer volume of life that’s made a home here. The wreck acts like an apartment block on an otherwise flat seabed. You'll find edible crabs tucked into crevices, velvet swimming crabs scuttling across the timbers, and if you look closely, plenty of nudibranchs munching away. The visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the UK, but on a good day, the light filters down beautifully, highlighting the green and brown algae coating the wood. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants to potter about and watch the resident blennies dart in and out. Go at slack water, obviously.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.382248, -3.487872
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Wreck History - ALLY MARIE

Year Sunk
1986
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The Ally Marie, a small 9-meter wooden fishing vessel, foundered on September 9, 1986. The Brixham Coastguard received a report that the boat was taking on water for reasons that remain unclear. Despite efforts to save her, the ingress of water was too great, and she eventually slipped beneath the waves off the coast of Cornwall. Her sinking is a common story among small fishing boats, a testament to the challenging conditions they often face.

Lying at a depth of just 9 meters, the Ally Marie is an excellent dive for beginners and a great option for a relaxed shallow dive. Being a wooden vessel that sank in the 1980s, the main structure has likely disintegrated over time, leaving behind a debris field. Divers can enjoy a treasure hunt of sorts, searching the seabed for the boat's engine block, winch, propeller, and other metallic fixtures that have survived the years. These remnants are often colonized by a surprising amount of marine life, from colorful wrasse to shy crabs hiding in the wreckage. The "Dangerous Wreck" classification is a good reminder to be mindful of potential entanglement from old ropes or nets.

Marine Protected Area: Berry Head to Sharkham Point

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to ALLY MARIE

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALLY MARIE

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories