IREX (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The IREX, lying deep off the coast, is one of those wrecks that really makes you work for it. Dropping to 42 metres, this sailing vessel is for experienced wreck heads, no doubt about it. Our last dive here was in decent vis, maybe 10 metres, and the sheer scale of the ship emerging from the gloom was just incredible. You'll find yourself finning over a broken hull, the wooden structure slowly collapsing, but still very much a ship. We love picking out the anchor chains and trying to imagine it under sail. What really gets us about the IREX is the marine life it’s attracted. Conger eels are always lurking in the deeper, darker sections, and we’ve seen some huge ones here, their heads like fists poking from the wreckage. Dogfish often rest on the deck plates, blending into the silt. The wreck is slowly becoming part of the seabed, a living reef in its own right, covered in dead man’s fingers and hydroids. It’s a proper dive for those who appreciate history and deep exploration, just remember to pick your weather window carefully – the English Channel doesn't mess around at this depth.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.449190, -3.243732
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
42m

Marine Protected Area: Lyme Bay and Torbay

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 IREX (POSSIBLY)

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 IREX (POSSIBLY)

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