JEAN B

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

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) - JEAN B 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 13m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Jean B, a fishing vessel that went down in 1976 after a run-in with the MFV Escallonia, sits upright and largely intact at 13 metres. We love it because it’s a proper wreck dive without the serious depth. You’ll find the wheelhouse still largely complete, and we particularly enjoy nosing around the engine room, which is often accessible. The structure attracts a good crowd of marine life: expect to see plenty of wrasse darting between the frames, conger eels tucked into dark corners, and often decent sized lobsters eyeing you from crevices. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, like much of the UK, but on a good day, the light penetrates beautifully, illuminating the rust-coloured metalwork. It’s a site that really suits divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't afraid of cooler water, offering enough to explore for a solid bottom time. Our tip: go during slack water. The currents here can be surprisingly brisk, making a thorough exploration tricky otherwise.