ANDOLA - Cornwall & Devon

The Andola is a favourite of ours for a reason. It’s not about huge depths or shocking pelagics here; it’s about history you can touch. This barque, sunk in 1895 after a rough journey, now lies broken across the northern side of Shark’s Fin Rock. At just six metres, it’s a brilliant rummage for divers who appreciate the subtler side of wreck diving. We’ve spent many an hour tracing the outline of her collapsed hull, the timbers long gone but the general shape still there in the scattered metal plates and ribbing. What we love most is the way the local life has reclaimed it. You’ll find iridescent snakelocks anemones clinging to every surface, their tentacles waving in the gentle swell. Look closer into the crevices and under the plates for blennies peering out, or the occasional velvet swimming crab scuttling past. It’s an easy dive, perfect for a relaxed afternoon, and we’d suggest going at slack water for the best visibility to really appreciate the details.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.053234, -5.056634
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Wreck History - ANDOLA

Year Sunk
1895
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
659 GRT

The Andola was a hardy Norwegian barque built in 1869, accustomed to the rigors of 19th-century global trade. Her final, fateful voyage was an epic and arduous journey from Tacoma, on the west coast of North America, bound for Europe. The trip around Cape Horn was exceptionally difficult, and the ship arrived in Falmouth, Cornwall, a full two months overdue, undoubtedly bearing the scars of the sea.

After a brief stop, the Andola was ordered to proceed to her final destination of Hull. On January 29, 1895, as she attempted to navigate out of the Cornish coast, she fell victim to the infamous Manacles reef. The sailing ship tacked too late and was driven hard aground on the northern side of Shark's Fin Rock, a notorious ship-killer. Battered by the waves, the Andola quickly broke apart and was lost.

Resting in just 6 meters of water, the remains of the Andola are now scattered across the rocky seabed of the Manacles. Over a century of storm and surge has ensured that no large sections of the hull remain intact. For divers, this is a historical scavenger hunt. The site consists of flattened iron plates, frames, and other metal fixtures mingled with the kelp and rocks. It’s a dive that connects you directly to the perilous reality of Cornwall's maritime past, offering a poignant glimpse into a shipwreck from the great age of sail.

Marine Protected Area: The Manacles

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 ANDOLA

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 ANDOLA

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