BOHERA - Cornwall & Devon

Bohera sits off the coast of Cornwall, a collier sunk back in March of 1895. We’d classify it as a true historical dive, and while it doesn't boast colourful corals, the sheer age of the wreck and the history clinging to it are what draw us back. There's a real sense of stepping back in time as you descend, the dark green water giving way to the ghostly outline of her hull. What you'll find here is a wreck that’s been thoroughly integrated into the seabed. We often see conger eels peering from dark recesses, their thick bodies almost part of the rusting metal. Look closely and you’ll spot plumose anemones, their feathery tentacles swaying with the gentle surge, and plenty of wrasse darting between the broken plating. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet dignity of an old ship, how the sea slowly reclaims its own. Visibility can be a challenge here, typical for the UK, but on a good day, when the sun breaks through, the experience is wonderfully atmospheric. Our pick for an afternoon dive when the tides are slack.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.731224, -2.162056
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - BOHERA

Year Sunk
1895
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The Bohera was a 19th-century collier, a workhorse of the sea designed to transport coal. Her career came to an end on March 22, 1895, when she was recorded as 'lost' off Houmets Florens in the Channel Islands. The exact cause of her sinking remains unknown, though the notoriously strong currents, hidden reefs, and frequent storms of the region were likely contributing factors. What makes the Bohera a unique site is its depth of zero meters. It is an intertidal wreck, meaning its skeletal remains are exposed to the air during low tide.

This accessibility makes the Bohera more than just a dive site; it's a piece of history that can be visited by walking. At high tide, snorkelers and shallow-water divers can explore the submerged sections of the hull among the kelp. As the tide recedes, the wreck emerges from the water, allowing historians, photographers, and curious beachcombers to examine its decaying iron structure up close. The Bohera serves as a stark and tangible reminder of the perils of 19th-century maritime trade, its bones resting where the land and sea meet.

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 BOHERA

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 BOHERA

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