ILSTON - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.953533, -5.163817
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

Marine Protected Area: Lizard Point

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 ILSTON

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 ILSTON

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