ANDORA STAR - Cornwall & Devon

The Andora Star, what a dive. We're talking a proper little wreck, sunk in '74 off Beer, East Devon. It's only 10.4 metres, so you can take your time, really get to know it. We love poking around the bow, where the fishing gear is still tangled. What makes it special? The way the wreck has become part of the reef. We’ve found conger eels tucked into the engine room, their heads poking out like grumpy old men. And the colours. The jewel anemones are electric, like someone’s spilled a box of neon sweets all over the metal. It’s a shallow dive, maxing out at just a metre, which makes for incredible natural light. You see every detail, every little crab scuttling across the deck. We’d suggest going at high tide for the best visibility, otherwise, it can get a bit silty. It’s perfect for macro photographers, or anyone who just wants a relaxed mooch on a historic piece of local maritime life.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.693610, -3.092921
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - ANDORA STAR

Year Sunk
1974
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

Resting in the shallows off Beer in East Devon, the Andora Star is a small fishing vessel that sank on September 3, 1974. At only 10.4 meters long and lying at a depth of just one meter, this wreck is highly accessible to snorkelers and novice divers when conditions are calm. Its designation as a 'Dangerous Wreck' is due to its extremely shallow position, which poses a hazard to small boat traffic in the area. For divers, this means exercising caution around potentially sharp, broken sections of the hull. While not a grand vessel, it offers a fascinating and easy-to-explore glimpse into local maritime history, now encrusted with marine life and nestled into the seabed just a stone's throw from the shore.

Marine Protected Area: East Devon

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 ANDORA STAR

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 ANDORA STAR

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