ANTOINETTE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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) - ANTOINETTE 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 52m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.

Typical ANTOINETTE Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 52m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

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.

Today06:2517:3011h 5m daylightGolden hour 16:47

ANTOINETTE Wreck History

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.