IONA II - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.184700, -4.647433
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
19m

Marine Protected Area: Lundy

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 IONA II

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 IONA II

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