CAROL ANNE
Protected Area
Wembury Point
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) - CAROL ANNE offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The *Carol Anne* might only be 7.6m long, but don't let her size fool you. We’d classify her as an absolute cracker for new wreck divers. She went down in 1996, driven onto the rocks by a SW wind, and now she sits upright and mostly intact in relatively shallow water. You’ll find her just off the Mew Stone, near Bolt Head, and a gentle fin down reveals her wheelhouse still surprisingly complete. It’s a proper swim-through, if you’re comfortable, with light filtering in through the windows, creating these cool shafts of green and blue. Around the wreck, the local critters have made themselves right at home. You'll often spot dogfish tucked into crevices and wrasse darting between the decaying planks. We’ve even seen small conger eels poking their heads out from beneath her hull. The visibility here can be hit-or-miss, typical for the UK, but when it’s good, the light plays beautifully off the metal, highlighting the vibrant jewel anemones that have colonised every surface. Our top tip? Go on a calm day with a neap tide; it makes all the difference for enjoying her relaxed charm.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
CAROL ANNE Wreck History
Year Sunk
1996
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
grounding
The Carol Anne was a small 7.6-metre fishing vessel that met its end on May 25, 1996. Caught in strong south-westerly winds, the boat was driven aground onto a lee shore in the waters off Cornwall. Fortunately, the crew was rescued by the Brixham Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre, but their vessel could not be saved and was left to the mercy of the sea.
Resting at a depth of 0 metres, the Carol Anne is classified as a wreck with parts of its hull or superstructure showing. This makes it less of a traditional scuba dive and more of an interesting feature for snorkelers, kayakers, or divers exploring the coastline during a surface interval. What remains of the small vessel is a testament to the power of the local weather, offering a unique and easily accessible point of interest right at the water's edge.
Nearest Dive Centres to CAROL ANNE
Dive shops near CAROL ANNE
Sound Diving Limited
Plymouth Diving Centre
Dive Looe
Teign Diving Centre
Reviews for CAROL ANNE
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CAROL ANNE
CAROL ANNE Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CAROL ANNE, 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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