JESSIE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

South of Portland

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) - JESSIE 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 40m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The *Jessie* might sit at 40 metres, making it a dive for those comfortable with deeper profiles, but she’s worth the effort. We love the historical punch of this site, a casualty of a U-boat attack in 1917, and you feel that history as you descend into the gloom. What you find is a surprisingly intact sailing vessel, her timbers still holding their shape, offering a tangible link to a bygone era. You’ll spend your bottom time tracing the lines of the hull, peeking into cargo holds now home to enormous conger eels. We’ve seen wrasse flitting between her broken masts, and the occasional dogfish tucked into a crevice. The visibility here can vary wildly, but on a good day, with a bit of ambient light filtering down, the *Jessie* presents a genuinely evocative scene. We’d suggest a slack water dive for the best experience, allowing you to really soak in the atmosphere of this forgotten vessel without battling a strong current. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration and an appreciation for maritime history.