IOANNIS FAFALIOS - Cornwall & Devon

The *Ioannis Fafalios* isn’t for the faint of heart, or indeed, the casually trained. Dropping to 58 metres, this is serious technical diving territory, but for those with the skills, it offers a hauntingly beautiful experience. We love the sheer scale of this wreck, a grand old steamship built in 1900, now resting upright and largely intact on the seabed. Descending onto the main deck, you’re met with a stark silhouette against the green-blue of the English Channel. The twin boilers are still prominent, standing like silent sentinels, often shrouded in schooling bib or pouting. We’d suggest a good torch is essential; even on a bright day, the depth eats the light, revealing the intricate details of the triple expansion engine. Look out for the resident conger eels, thick as a diver's thigh, peering from dark nooks in the collapsed superstructure. The bow section is our favourite for photography, especially when the visibility is good, allowing you to capture the full majesty of its descent into the gloom. This site isn't about vibrant colours, it’s about history, scale, and the quiet, deep beauty of a lost vessel.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.134420, -1.895467
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
58m

Marine Protected Area: West of Wight-Barfleur

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 IOANNIS FAFALIOS

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 IOANNIS FAFALIOS

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