ANTOINETTE - Cornwall & Devon

The Antoinette, she’s a proper dive, one for those who appreciate the chill of a deep wreck. Dropping down to 52 metres, you’re looking at a serious commitment, so check your gas and your bottom time. She’s a sailing vessel, gone down in 1900, and resting two miles south of St. Martins Point. We love how intact she feels for her age and depth. You can make out the lines of the hull, the spars, and some of the decking. It’s a proper history lesson, feeling the cold water swirl around the ghost of her rigging. Visibility down here can be decent on a good day, but it’s the sheer atmosphere that grabs you. Look for the conger eels nestled into the darker recesses, and the odd intrepid lobster making its home in the twisted metal. We’d suggest going on a slack tide, if you can time it right. It makes a huge difference when you’re trying to absorb the scale of her. This isn’t a quick splash, it’s a dive where you take your time, respect the depth, and soak in the silence of a century-old sinking.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.387900, -2.529117
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
52m

Wreck History - ANTOINETTE

Year Sunk
1900
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
unknown

The story of the Antoinette is shrouded in the mists of time. A sailing vessel lost at the turn of the 20th century, her final moments are not clearly recorded, leaving only the wreck itself to tell her tale. She sank in August 1900, two miles south of St Martin's Point in the Channel Islands, an area known for its strong currents and challenging maritime conditions. Without a definitive cause of loss, we are left to imagine a sudden Channel storm or a navigational error that sealed her fate, sending her to the seabed in the final years of the age of sail.

Resting at a depth of 52 meters, the Antoinette is a challenging and rewarding dive reserved for experienced technical divers. In the deep, cool waters, the wreck is a haunting silhouette from a bygone era. Subject to over a century of tides, she is likely well broken, but divers can still identify features of her wooden construction. Exploring the scattered timbers, ribs, and any remaining artifacts offers a profound connection to the maritime past. The visibility can be excellent, but the depth and potential for strong currents demand careful planning and respect for this historic site.

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 ANTOINETTE

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 ANTOINETTE

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