Bishops and Clerks

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

The Offshore Islets Of Pembrokeshire / Ynysoedd Glannau Penfro

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) - Bishops and Clerks offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest reef 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

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Bishops and Clerks, off the coast of Cornwall, is one of those spots that really delivers when the conditions align. We’ve had some truly exhilarating dives here, particularly around the smaller pinnacles. It’s not a gentle drift, mind you, the currents can rip through, so you need to be comfortable in moving water. But that’s often when the magic happens. Drop down onto the main reef and you’re immediately enveloped by the sheer density of life. We've seen entire walls adorned with pink sea fans, their polyps extended, filtering the nutrient-rich water. Look closer and you'll find curled octopuses tucked into crevices, their eyes watching you with unnerving intelligence. We’ve also had thrilling encounters with nursehounds and dogfish cruising the deeper sections. For macro enthusiasts, the Irish moss and carragheen host tiny nudibranchs, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a seahorse clinging to a piece of Oarweed. Visibility can vary wildly, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates the water, it’s genuinely spectacular. Best dived on a neap tide for a slightly more relaxed experience, though the big springs bring in the larger pelagics. Definitely one for experienced temperate water divers who appreciate a lively reef.