ILLYDIA - Cornwall & Devon

The Illydia, oh, what a character she is. We’ve bumped into her a few times now, and she always delivers a good dive. She’s a sailing vessel, a wreck with a story, though it’s the way she’s come to rest that makes her special. You’ll find her broken up, but not scattered. Instead, she’s settled into distinct sections, creating these fantastic swim-throughs and sheltered nooks. It’s the structure of her holds that we really love. You can navigate through them, feeling the water surge and pull you gently along, light filtering down from above. Crabs hide in every crevice, and we’ve spotted plenty of blennies darting between the metal plates. The anemones here are particularly striking, often a vibrant orange against the grey steel. For photographers, the way the light plays on the wreck, especially on a sunny day, is a real treat. We’d suggest catching her on an incoming tide; the visibility tends to be at its best then, and the current helps you drift through with ease. She's a perfect dive for those who enjoy exploring tight spaces and appreciate a wreck that feels alive with its resident critters.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.768906, -1.066738
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Sinah Common

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 ILLYDIA

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 ILLYDIA

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