ANNA LOUISE - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.263817, -3.934520
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

Wreck History - ANNA LOUISE

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.

Marine Protected Area: Hele, Samson's and Combe Martin Bays

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 ANNA LOUISE

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 ANNA LOUISE

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