AMIABLE LUCITTE - Cornwall & Devon

The Brigantine Amiable Lucitte, lost with all hands on the Paternoster Reef back in 1837, is a proper slice of Cornish maritime history. While it’s technically at 0m, meaning it's well within snorkelling depth, its character shines when you get below the surface. We find it’s best approached at slack tide, obviously, when the water settles and you can really get a sense of the scattered timbers. What you'll find isn't an intact hull, but rather the scattered remnants of a wooden vessel, beautifully encrusted and broken down by centuries of surge. Think of it as an archaeological treasure hunt. Look for the copper sheathing on the timbers, a faint green against the rock. We love the way the light filters through the kelp forest that has grown over everything; it gives the whole site a wonderfully eerie feel. Keep an eye out for blennies darting between crevices and the occasional wrasse nosing around the decaying wood. It's a gentle, reflective spot, perfect for divers who appreciate history and the slow reclamation of the sea, rather than big pelagics or dramatic drop-offs.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.291668, -2.200000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - AMIABLE LUCITTE

Year Sunk
1837
Vessel Type
sailing ship
Cause
grounding

The story of the Amiable Lucitte is a haunting tale from the age of sail. This brigantine was tragically lost on December 28, 1837, when it struck the treacherous Paternoster Reef off the coast of Cornwall. In an all-too-common tragedy for that era, the ship went down with its entire crew, leaving behind only the vessel's scattered remains as a testament to its final, fatal voyage. Lying at a depth of 0 meters, the wreck is now an intertidal site, with its remnants only visible to explorers and beachcombers during low tide. While not a scuba dive in the traditional sense, the site offers a powerful connection to the region's rich and often perilous maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: Jersey Coast

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 AMIABLE LUCITTE

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 AMIABLE LUCITTE

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