ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY)

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Morte Platform

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) - ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY) 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 39m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Antwerpen is one of our favourite Cornwall wrecks, a proper deep dive that still offers plenty of structure. Dropping down to 39 metres, you’ll find her sitting upright on the seabed, remarkably intact despite the bombing that sent her down in 1941. We love drifting along her deck, peering into the cargo holds that are now home to spider crabs and conger eels. Keep an eye out for the bow, which is often swathed in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the current. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the history as much as the marine life. The Antwerpen offers a real sense of exploration. We'd suggest timing your dive for slack water to avoid strong currents, which can pick up quickly here. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, you get a beautiful silhouette of the wreck against the filtered light. It’s a dive that rewards slow, careful exploration.

Typical ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY) Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Deep dive (39m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced 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.

Today06:3417:3511h 1m daylightGolden hour 16:50

ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY) Wreck History

Year Sunk

1941

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

aircraft

Tonnage

294 GRT

The MV Antwerpen was a small Dutch motor coaster built in 1927. As a coastal trading vessel, she was the workhorse of her day, transporting essential goods between local ports. With the outbreak of World War II, these seemingly routine journeys became fraught with peril, as coastal shipping lanes became a primary target for enemy forces.

On March 28, 1941, the Antwerpen was on such a voyage, carrying a cargo of coal from Barry, Wales, to Fremington, Devon. While navigating the Bristol Channel off Hartland Point, she was spotted by a German bomber. The aircraft attacked, and the small coaster stood little chance. A direct hit from a bomb sent the Antwerpen to the bottom, taking all six of her crew with her. It was a sudden and violent end for a vessel simply doing its job in the war effort.

Lying at a depth of 39 metres, the wreck of the Antwerpen is a superb dive for experienced enthusiasts. She sits upright on the seabed and is remarkably intact for a vessel of her age that was sunk so violently. Divers can explore the superstructure, peer into the cargo hold, and appreciate the hardy design of this coastal trader. Now encrusted with life, she is a vibrant artificial reef and a solemn memorial to the merchant mariners who lost their lives in the Battle of the Atlantic.