AMADEUS - Cornwall & Devon

The Amadeus, a sailing vessel that went down in '91, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to in Cornwall. It sits in a modest 16 metres, making it super accessible, and frankly, a perfect dive for shaking off the rust or just enjoying a relaxed hour underwater. What makes it so good isn't its size – it's more about the character. The 55-foot mast collapsed when she sank, and it now lies alongside the hull, creating this really interesting jumble of structure to weave through. We love finning along the deck, peering into the shadows where the hull splits. You’ll find plenty of bib and pollack darting between the frames, and often, some pretty impressive conger eels tucked away in crevices. The light filtering through the mast structure is always beautiful on a sunny day; it casts these dancing patterns across the seabed. It’s a site that changes with the seasons, but always offers a good, solid wreck dive without being overly challenging. We’d suggest going at slack water, it just makes the whole experience that much more comfortable.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.743767, -1.397259
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Wreck History - AMADEUS

Year Sunk
1991
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
unknown

Resting in 16 metres of water, the Amadeus is a modern sailing vessel that sank on July 14, 1991, while on charter. Its accessible depth makes it a popular site in the Cornwall & Devon region for divers of all levels. Unlike historic cargo ships or warships, diving on a relatively modern yacht offers a different perspective. Divers can explore the familiar lines of a pleasure craft, imagining it under sail. The 55-foot mast, though likely collapsed, adds a unique feature to the site. Over the decades, the wreck has become a healthy artificial reef, attracting schools of fish and a variety of encrusting life that has colonized its fibreglass hull.

Marine Protected Area: Thorness Bay

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 AMADEUS

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 AMADEUS

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