JEAN FREDERIC (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the *Jean Frederic* in Cornwall is a proper journey back in time, and honestly, we think it’s one of the more evocative wrecks in these waters. Dropping down to 45 metres, you’re often greeted by that distinct green gloom of the Channel, but then the shape of the trawler starts to resolve itself. The wreck lies upright, and while the superstructure has started to decay, the hull is remarkably intact. We love finning along her deck, imagining the Dutch crew on board when she was sunk by aircraft in 1941. The bow section is our favourite for exploring; you can peer into what would have been the holds, now home to some impressively large conger eels that stare out from the shadows. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into the sand nearby, and the occasional lobster waving an antenna from a crevice. It’s a deep dive, so obviously, this one suits experienced divers comfortable with colder water and decent bottom times. We'd suggest aiming for slack water, as currents here can pick up, making the descent and ascent a lot less enjoyable. If you appreciate a wreck with a story, this French trawler, requisitioned by the Royal Navy, delivers a genuinely atmospheric dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.217262, -3.617854
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

Marine Protected Area: Skerries Bank and Surrounds

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 JEAN FREDERIC (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 JEAN FREDERIC (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