IONIAN

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Castlemartin Coast

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) - IONIAN 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

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Ionian, near St. Govans Head, is a proper chunk of history, even if she’s quite broken up now. This isn't a wreck you penetrate; it's a spread, scattered by the torpedo that sank her in 1917 and then further by hitting the cliffs. We love poking around the debris field, trying to piece together the layout of this huge steamship. You'll find twisted metal plates, sections of hull, and machinery parts, all encrusted with colourful jewel anemones and dead man’s fingers. It’s a site for divers who enjoy exploring and imagining the past. Look for the engine components, often the most identifiable parts, where shoals of pollock often hang out, darting between the girders. On a day with good visibility, the way the light filters through the broken structure, illuminating the vibrant growth, is really something. We’d suggest going at slack tide, as currents can be a nuisance here, making the exploration much more relaxed and enjoyable. It's a sombre place, seven lives were lost, and you feel that sense of history as you fin over the remains.