BONNIE GIRL
Protected Area
Hope's Nose to Wall's Hill
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) - BONNIE GIRL offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
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.
Typical BONNIE GIRL Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BONNIE GIRL Wreck History
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to BONNIE GIRL
Dive shops near BONNIE GIRL
Teign Diving Centre
Edge Watersports
Sound Diving Limited
Plymouth Diving Centre
Reviews for BONNIE GIRL
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BONNIE GIRL
BONNIE GIRL Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BONNIE GIRL, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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