ICELANDER

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

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) - ICELANDER 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 30m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

We love the Iceman. Not just for the cheeky name, but for how much life a relatively small wreck can pack in. This little fishing vessel went down in 1981, and in the decades since, it’s become a fantastic artificial reef. At around 30 metres, it's a dive that suits those comfortable with a bit of depth, perhaps looking for something more than reef exploration. The wreck itself is intact enough to give you a real sense of its former life. You can glide over the deck, peer into the wheelhouse, and imagine the crew hauling in nets. What makes it special, though, is the sheer density of critters. You'll find blennies poking their heads out of every crevice, spider crabs scuttling across the plates, and often, a hefty conger eel eyeing you from a dark corner. The metal framework provides shelter for wrasse and pollock, and we've had some great encounters with cuttlefish here, especially in late spring. Our top tip: bring a good torch; the nooks and crannies are where the magic happens.