JAMES MCGEE - Cornwall & Devon

The *James McGee* is one of those wrecks that just delivers a proper dive. Lying in a respectable 18 metres, it’s a brilliant spot for anyone comfortable navigating inside a structure, but equally rewarding if you prefer to just cruise over the top. We really enjoy how much of the tanker remains intact. You can easily identify the stern, where the triple-expansion engine room is now an open cavern of steel, big enough for a couple of divers to explore. Look for the four distinct boilers, often draped in plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the mild current. Our favourite part is the bow section; it's a mangled mess, but it’s where you’ll find some great nooks and crannies for conger eels. Keep an eye out for them peeking from collapsed plates, and the resident pollack often mill around the deeper parts of the structure. Visibility here can be hit or miss, typical for the English Channel, so aim for a neap tide for the calmest conditions and best light penetration. It’s a solid wreck dive, often overlooked for its flashier neighbours, but absolutely worth the effort.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.371700, -3.579233
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Marine Protected Area: Monknash Coast

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 JAMES MCGEE

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 JAMES MCGEE

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