JEANNE MARIE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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) - JEANNE MARIE 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 53m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Jeanne Marie, a French steamer sunk by a U-boat in 1918, lies deep at 53 metres. We think this depth makes her a truly rewarding dive for experienced technical divers, and she’s one of our favourite deep wrecks off the Cornish coast. You’re descending into proper historical theatre here, the ship’s large profile emerging from the gloom, often with visibility that feels like thick soup at the surface but can open up beautifully down below. The wreck itself is largely intact, with a huge triple-expansion engine standing proud amidships, a real magnet for light-seeking fish. We love exploring the bow, which is often riddled with conger eels – some of them absolute monsters, thick as a diver's thigh. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into crevices and the occasional solitary ling patrolling the deeper sections. It’s a dark dive, even on a sunny day, so good lighting is non-negotiable. Dive this one on slack water, and be ready for a longer decompression, but the silence and the sheer scale of the Jeanne Marie are utterly worth it.