ANDIANO - Cornwall & Devon

We love a good story behind a wreck, and the Andiano certainly has one: breaking down in good weather and drifting onto the Little Mewstone. It’s a 9.1-metre cruiser, a merchant vessel that went down in 2001. At just 6 metres, it’s a brilliant, shallow dive, perfect for extended bottom times and a more relaxed pace. The wreck itself is quite broken up now, spread across the rocky seabed. You won't find an intact hull, but instead, an interesting debris field. We’d suggest looking for the engine block, it’s often a hub of activity with small blennies peering out and crabs scuttling over the rusting metal. The plates and frames are colonised by jewel anemones, giving splashes of electric orange and pink against the grey rock. You’ll often spot dogfish eggs, mermaid's purses, swaying gently in the slight surge. The surrounding kelp forest provides a dramatic backdrop, with shoals of pollack darting through the fronds. This site is ideal for photographers looking for macro subjects or newer divers gaining confidence on wrecks. Dive it at slack water for the best visibility and to really appreciate the details.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.308334, -4.100000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Wreck History - ANDIANO

Year Sunk
2001
Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
grounding

The story of the Andiano is a common but unfortunate tale of mechanical failure at sea. On November 7, 2001, this small 9.1-meter motor cruiser was on a routine passage from Chichester to Plymouth in good weather. The vessel suffered a breakdown, leaving it powerless and adrift. It was carried by the current onto the rocks of the Little Mewstone, a small island near Plymouth. The two crew members were safely rescued, but their vessel was lost. Lying in just 6 meters of water, the Andiano is a very shallow wreck, likely well broken up by the coastal surge. It represents an interesting but minor feature for local divers, perfect for a novice checkout dive or as a second, shallow dive of the day to explore the wreckage scattered amongst the rocks.

Marine Protected Area: Wembury 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 ANDIANO

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 ANDIANO

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