BELLE COLOMBE - Cornwall & Devon

The Belle Colombe, sunk after a collision with a ferry in 1986, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to off the Cornish coast. She's a wooden-hulled fishing vessel, only 17.4 metres long, sitting upright at 35 metres. The current can be brisk here, so it’s best suited for experienced divers comfortable in low visibility and stronger flow. We love dropping down onto her, seeing the deck still largely intact, the rigging draped like seaweed. The stern is our favourite spot, often swarming with pollack and wrasse. Look closely and you’ll find conger eels tucked into what’s left of the wheelhouse, their eyes following you. The wooden hull is collapsing gently in places, creating little caverns where spider crabs huddle. Dive her on a slack tide, if you can time it right, and you’ll have a more relaxed exploration, with the details of her working life as a fishing boat still evident beneath the layers of marine growth.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.715668, -2.084833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m

Wreck History - BELLE COLOMBE

Year Sunk
1986
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
collision

The story of the Belle Colombe is one of a sudden and dramatic end. On April 20, 1986, the wooden-hulled fishing vessel was on passage from Ireland to Guernsey in good weather conditions. Its journey was tragically interrupted when it was struck by the French passenger and vehicle ferry, Breizh Izel. The collision was catastrophic for the smaller vessel, and the Belle Colombe sank quickly, coming to rest on the seabed 35 metres below.

Today, the Belle Colombe is a fascinating dive for appropriately certified divers. Lying at 35 metres, the wreck is subject to the steady decay that affects all wooden vessels, meaning the hull has largely broken down. However, the more resilient metal components, such as the engine, winches, and other machinery, remain proud of the seabed, providing a clear outline of the vessel's former life. These structures have become an artificial reef, attracting schools of fish and sheltering various crustaceans, offering a poignant and beautiful dive site born from a sudden maritime incident.

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 BELLE COLOMBE

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 BELLE COLOMBE

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