wreck

Log This Dive

COMMANDANT MARCHAND

The *Commandant Marchand*, a French steam trawler, met its end in 1930, running aground on the Manacles Reef. Now, it’s less a wreck and more a scatter of metal, lying in just a meter or two of water. We wouldn't send you here with a full twin-set, but for a snorkel or a shallow shore dive on a calm day, it's a fascinating look at history and how the sea reclaims its own. What you'll find here is a jumble of hull plates, engine parts, and twisted girders. We love how the kelp forests have grown over everything, creating little hiding spots for wrasse and crab. Look closely, and you'll spot snakelocks anemones swaying gently, their green tentacles catching the sun. It’s a site for the curious, for those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a reef evolving from a disaster. Go at high tide for the best visibility; the sand can kick up quickly if there’s any surge. It's a proper British wreck experience, just without the decompression.