IONA II

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Lundy

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) - IONA II 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 19m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Iona II, just a mile east of Lundy, is a slice of maritime history frozen at 19 metres. For a wreck sunk in 1864, she’s in remarkably good shape. We love descending onto the main deck, where the outline of the paddle boxes is still clearly visible, even if the paddles themselves are long gone. You can picture her, built in Govan, steaming across the Atlantic, bound for Nassau. There's a beautiful sense of age here; the wreck isn’t just metal, it’s a living reef. Expect to find conger eels peering from every dark corner, and the ironwork is thick with jewel anemones and dead man’s fingers, glowing in torchlight. Our favourite spots are around the bow, where the structure is a bit more broken, creating perfect hideouts for lobsters. The visibility around Lundy can be temperamental, but on a good day, the sun filtering through the water onto the wreck is simply magical. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, perfect for those who appreciate the quiet drama of history underwater.