JOHANNA - Cornwall & Devon

The Johanna, a carrier vessel lost off Hartland Point on New Year's Eve, 1982, offers a proper Cornish wreck dive when conditions align. She ran aground hard, 200 yards south of the point, breaking up over time. We've seen her in varying states, but there’s always something new exposed, a different way the light catches the twisted metal. Dropping down, you're looking at a vessel around 64 metres long. The stern section is often the most intact, with the bow more scattered. Our favourite moments here are when the vis pushes to 8-10 metres, allowing you to appreciate the scale of the holds, imagining her journey from Rotterdam to Barry. Ling often peek out from under plates, and the resident conger eels are truly impressive, thick as your thigh. Sometimes, if you catch the dive just right, the kelp fronds sway in rhythm with the surge, creating an eerie, almost cathedral-like feel over the deeper, more broken sections. This site is definitely one for the experienced UK diver, comfortable with a bit of swell and the unique challenges of the Bristol Channel. Pick a slack tide; it makes all the difference.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.019670, -4.525564
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Brownsham

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 JOHANNA

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 JOHANNA

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