BARCAROLLE - Cornwall & Devon

The *Barcarolle* offers a different kind of wreck dive, a relatively modern yacht that went down in 1990. We love how accessible she is at 29 metres, making for a comfortable no-decompression dive. You drop down onto the main deck, often with decent visibility, and the structure is still very much intact, giving you a real sense of her former life as a sailing vessel. What makes *Barcarolle* a standout for us isn't just the wreck itself, but the way marine life has utterly embraced it. The interior is quite open, a perfect haven for shoals of bib and pouting that swirl around you as you peer into the cabins. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the prop is still visible, usually encased in a vibrant growth of plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the current. Look closely amongst them for tiny crabs scuttling about. It's a fantastic site for anyone who enjoys exploring a wreck that feels like it’s becoming part of the reef, rather than just a sunken shell.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.573220, -1.962336
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
29m

Wreck History - BARCAROLLE

Year Sunk
1990
Vessel Type
yacht
Cause
collision

The final voyage of the Barcarolle was tragically short. The Eclipse 43 sailing yacht was on a delivery passage from Bursledon to Plymouth on December 1, 1990, when disaster struck. In the dark waters, she hit an unknown submerged object, which holed the hull and caused rapid flooding. The Swanage lifeboat was quick to respond and took the stricken vessel in tow, but the damage was too severe. The Barcarolle slipped beneath the waves before she could be brought to safety.

Now resting at a depth of 29 meters, the Barcarolle offers a fascinating dive on a relatively modern wreck. Unlike older, heavily corroded wrecks, the yacht's form is still very recognizable. Divers can explore the sleek lines of the hull, the cockpit, and the remains of the mast and rigging, which now host an array of marine life. It's a poignant site, serving as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sea, even for modern vessels. The wreck is a testament to a rescue attempt that tragically ran out of time, leaving a perfectly preserved, if sunken, yacht for divers to explore.

Marine Protected Area: Studland Cliffs

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 BARCAROLLE

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 BARCAROLLE

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