CHARLES MARTEL

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gower

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) - CHARLES MARTEL offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 34m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Charles Martel is a solid dive, though it’s not for the faint of heart. Sitting at 34m, it demands good planning and an eye on the clock, but the rewards are there. We love the sheer size of it, a proper sailing vessel that’s now just a skeletal outline on the seabed, completely encrusted. There’s a certain eeriness to drifting along its length, imagining the ship in its prime, now just home to a host of creatures. You’ll find plenty of inquisitive cuckoo wrasse darting in and out of the timbers, and the odd conger eel peeking from behind a plate. The bow section is our favourite, often blanketed in dead man’s fingers, swaying gently with the surge. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss in the South West, but on a good day, the light filtering down gives the wreck a moody, almost reverent feel. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents here can be a bit lively, making exploration tricky otherwise. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a challenge, a true example of how the sea reclaims its own.