BONAFIDE - Cornwall & Devon

The Bonafide, just four metres down off the coast of Cornwall, is our go-to when we want a relaxed dive with a real sense of history. This isn't a dramatic, upright wreck; she's spread out across the seabed, the ribs of the old barque forming a skeleton that feels ancient and very much part of the ocean floor. We love weaving through the scattered timbers, imagining the ship in her prime before she went down in 1893. What you'll find here is a tapestry of life that has claimed the wreck. Every surface is coated in jewel anemones, vivid orange and pink, and you’ll spot plenty of blennies peeking out from cracks in the wood. On a good day, the sunlight filters down, illuminating clouds of small fish darting between the beams. It’s an easy, calm dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture intricate details, or anyone who enjoys exploring a piece of maritime heritage without deep dive pressures. Come at slack tide for the best visibility; the sandy bottom can kick up if there’s much current.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.736380, -2.278333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Wreck History - BONAFIDE

Year Sunk
1893
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
grounding

The Bonafide was a proud Norwegian barque, a three-masted sailing ship typical of the late 19th century. In the summer of 1893, she was on a long voyage from Sundsvall, Sweden, bound for Falmouth, England, with a heavy cargo of timber. As she navigated the treacherous waters of the English Channel, a thick fog descended, obscuring the many hazards that lay in her path. On July 24th, the vessel sailed blindly onto the notorious Renonquet rocks off Alderney in the Channel Islands. The ship was lost, but fortunately, the entire crew was rescued.

Today, the remains of the Bonafide lie in just 4 metres of water, making it an extremely shallow wreck dive. The site is heavily influenced by the powerful tides and surge that characterize the Channel Islands, so it can only be dived in the calmest conditions. Over a century of immersion has caused the wooden hull to disintegrate, but divers can still find evidence of the wreck scattered amongst the rocks. Exploring the gulleys, you may discover iron fittings, parts of the ship's structure, and the remnants of its timber cargo, all slowly being reclaimed by the marine environment. It's a dive that connects you directly with the perilous history of sail in one of the world's most challenging waterways.

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 BONAFIDE

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 BONAFIDE

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