ILSTON
Protected Area
Lizard Point
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) - ILSTON offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Ilston, resting four miles southeast of The Lizard, is one of those Cornish wrecks that genuinely delivers. She’s a decent size, 91 metres long, and lies surprisingly intact for a ship sunk by a U-boat torpedo in 1917. We find her bridge section particularly interesting; you can often push right into the wheelhouse if the visibility is playing ball. What we really appreciate about the Ilston is the sheer volume of fish. Shoals of bib and pollack hang thick around the superstructure, and if you take your time, you’ll spot conger eels tucked into every dark crevice. We’ve even seen plenty of dogfish lurking in the sand nearby. Given her depth, hitting 45 metres, this is definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with deeper wrecks and the often-moody conditions off Cornwall. Go on a slack tide, otherwise, it’s a proper workout.
Typical ILSTON Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 45m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to ILSTON
Dive shops near ILSTON
Porthkerris Divers
DiveUK
Seaways Diving
Karleyth Diving Ltd.
Wavecrest Scuba
Viewpoint Diving Centre
Reviews for ILSTON
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ILSTON
ILSTON Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ILSTON, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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