COURIER

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Jersey Coast

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) - COURIER 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 1m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The *Courier* isn't a deep dive, not even close, but that’s precisely why we love it. This isn't about grand coralscapes or big pelagics; it's about history right under the surface, a tangible link to a different time. Sunk back in March 1819 after striking the Grunes du Port, her cargo of coffee from Rio long since dispersed, she now sits shallow. You’re looking at a site that becomes a total loss at 1m. We’d suggest hitting this on a calm day, definitely at high tide, otherwise, you might be snorkelling rather than diving. The visibility, like much of the UK, can be a bit changeable, but when it clears, the *Courier* reveals herself in fragmented pieces. You'll trace the remnants of her hull, often encrusted with dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones. Crabs scuttle from under what might have been her timbers. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration, peering into every crevice, imagining the events that led to her demise. Our favourite part? Picturing the crew, the cargo, and the journey that ended here, centuries ago. This is a brilliant spot for newer divers looking to experience their first wreck in benign conditions, or for photographers keen on macro life against an historical backdrop.