CAROL ANNE - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.301693, -4.064618
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - CAROL ANNE

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.

Marine Protected Area: Wembury Point

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 CAROL ANNE

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 CAROL ANNE

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