AMIRANTE - Cornwall & Devon

The Amirante isn’t one of those massive, sprawling wrecks you spend a whole day on. At just shy of 10 metres, she’s a compact little fishing vessel, but don’t let her size fool you. Sunk in 1982 after springing a leak, she now rests upright at 40 metres, making her a solid choice for those comfortable with deeper dives and a bit of chill. We love her because she’s a proper expedition, often with very little ambient light filtering down. Dropping onto her deck, you’ll find plenty of nooks and crannies already colonised. Conger eels are a common sight, snaking through what’s left of the superstructure. Ling often lurk in the shadows, their long bodies perfectly camouflaged against the encrusted metal. We’d suggest a good torch is non-negotiable here; it really brings out the colours of the anemones and dead man’s fingers that have taken over. The visibility can be hit or miss, typical of the channel, but on a good day, it’s a genuinely atmospheric dive, feeling truly remote down there. She’s a great choice for experienced divers looking for a proper deep wreck hit without the commitment of something huge.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.468640, -2.447979
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Wreck History - AMIRANTE

Year Sunk
1982
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The story of the AMIRANTE is not one of wartime tragedy, but of a dramatic rescue at sea. In November 1982, the small 10-meter fishing vessel found itself in grave peril off the coast of South West England. The boat sprang a serious leak, and the situation quickly became dire for the three people on board. A distress call was answered, and in a testament to the bravery of rescue crews, a lifeboat successfully reached the foundering vessel and saved all three crew members just before the AMIRANTE slipped beneath the waves for the last time.

Today, the AMIRANTE rests on the seabed at a depth of 40 meters. It is a small target, but a poignant one, offering a very different experience from the larger cargo ships and warships that litter the seabed. This dive is reserved for experienced divers comfortable with depth. Exploring the wreck, one can't help but think of the human drama that unfolded on the surface over 40 years ago, making this a dive that connects you directly to a story of survival.

Marine Protected Area: South of Portland

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 AMIRANTE

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 AMIRANTE

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