ANNA LOUISE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Hele, Samson's and Combe Martin Bays

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - ANNA LOUISE offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 25m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Anna Louise is a wreck that just hits differently. Sunk in 1986, this 9.8m fishing vessel sits upright and largely intact on the seabed at 25m, making it a fantastic deep dive without needing specialist tech training. What we love about her is the immediate sense of scale; she’s small enough to properly explore in a single dive, yet big enough to feel like a proper wreck. The wheelhouse is often our first port of call, usually swarming with juvenile pollack. From there, you can trace the stern and bow, checking out the prop and the winch gear, all heavily encrusted with plumose anemones and dead man’s fingers. The soft corals are prolific here, lending the whole wreck a shaggy, colourful appearance. Look closely and you’ll find squat lobsters hiding in crevices, and often a grumpy conger eel peering out from under the bow. Visibility can be a typical Cornish affair, anywhere from 5m to a glorious 15m on a good day, but even in murkier conditions, her compact size makes her an accessible and rewarding dive. This is a classic UK wreck, great for experienced divers looking for an intimate historical encounter.

Typical ANNA LOUISE Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Depth of 25m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3317:3411h 1m daylightGolden hour 16:48

ANNA LOUISE Wreck History

Year Sunk

1986

Vessel Type

fishing vessel

Cause

unknown

The MFV Anna Louise was a small, 9.8-meter fishing vessel whose career ended on September 8, 1986. While dredging for scallops off Dodman Point in Cornwall, the boat suddenly sprang a leak and began to sink. Fortunately, its two crew members were quickly rescued by a nearby vessel before the Anna Louise slipped beneath the waves for the last time. The cause of the leak was never definitively determined, but the boat was lost to the sea.

Now resting at a depth of 25 meters, the Anna Louise is a popular dive for those with Advanced Open Water certification or higher. The wreck is small, allowing divers to explore it thoroughly on a single dive. Over the decades, it has transformed into a thriving artificial reef. The structure is often patrolled by schools of bib and pollack, while conger eels have taken up residence within the hull. As with many Cornish wrecks, its 'dangerous' classification warrants a careful approach, but it remains a fantastic site to experience the rich marine life of the English Channel.