BONNE SAINTE RITA - Cornwall & Devon

The Bonne Sainte Rita, a French trawler that went down off the Lizard in '86, has become one of our favourite dives in this part of Cornwall. She’s not huge at just under 19 metres, but she sits upright at 31m, completely intact. Dropping down, you’ll see the bow first, often surrounded by sand eels dancing in the current. We’ve found the wheelhouse is still largely there, letting you peek inside where the skipper would have been. What we love about this wreck is the way the marine life has completely taken over. Big schools of pollock usually hang around the mast, and you often spot conger eels peeking out from below the deck plates. The metalwork is draped in dead man's fingers and anemones, which really pop in the torchlight. Because she’s a deeper dive, plan your bottom time carefully, and be aware that currents can pick up here. We’d suggest diving her on a neap tide for the most relaxed experience. It’s a proper wreck dive, best suited for those comfortable at depth who appreciate the eerie beauty of a vessel lost at sea.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.585700, -0.979600
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
31m

Wreck History - BONNE SAINTE RITA

Year Sunk
1986
Vessel Type
trawler
Cause
storm

The Bonne Sainte Rita was a small French trawler, just under 19 meters long, that was tragically lost at sea during a fierce winter storm in December 1986. The vessel was reported missing off the coast of Cornwall and is believed to have capsized and sunk with all hands in the rough weather, a somber testament to the dangers faced by fishermen in the English Channel.

Today, the wreck rests upright at a depth of 31 meters, making it an excellent dive for advanced recreational divers. Though small, the trawler is a poignant and interesting site. Its structure is often draped in lost fishing nets, which create a significant entanglement hazard, warranting its 'dangerous wreck' classification and demanding a cautious approach. Divers can expect to see the trawler's wheelhouse and deck gear, now heavily colonized by jewel anemones, dead man's fingers, and sheltering large conger eels, crabs, and lobsters.

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 BONNE SAINTE RITA

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 BONNE SAINTE RITA

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