BONNIE GIRL - Cornwall & Devon

The Bonnie Girl is a cracker of a wreck, tucked right into Hope’s Nose. It’s an easy dive, just 11 metres, making it perfect for a relaxed afternoon. We’ve always found it a great spot for newer wreck divers, or anyone who just fancies a straightforward bimble with plenty to see. This old trawler, lost in a fog bank back in ’64, is now beautifully broken up across the seabed. You can poke around the ribs and plating, seeing how the sea has gently taken it apart over the decades. What we really love is how much life has moved in. There are always dogfish nestled in the sandy patches, and often a grumpy-looking conger eel peering out from under a bigger plate. Look closely, and you’ll spot tiny blennies darting between the rusty metal, and dead man’s fingers clinging to the exposed structure. If the visibility is good, around 5-8 metres, the light filters through, picking out the shapes of the wreck. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric dive, especially on a calm day when the surge isn't pushing you around too much.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.464184, -3.481486
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Wreck History - BONNIE GIRL

Year Sunk
1964
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
grounding

On a foggy December night in 1964, the trawler Bonnie Girl was navigating the waters off the Devon coast when she fell victim to the treacherous conditions. Blinded by the thick fog, the vessel ran hard aground at a spot known as Hope's Nose and was declared a total loss. The sea would soon break the stranded trawler apart, sending her to the seabed below.

Lying at a shallow depth of 11 meters, the remains of the Bonnie Girl are scattered across the seabed. The site is officially classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck', meaning divers should exercise caution due to potential entanglement hazards from old fishing gear and sharp, broken metal. For the prepared diver, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a local maritime tragedy and a chance to see how nature has colonized the wreckage over the decades.

Marine Protected Area: Hope's Nose to Wall's Hill

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 BONNIE GIRL

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 BONNIE GIRL

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