JOHN TAYLOR - Cornwall & Devon

The *John Taylor* is one of those wrecks that just settles into the seabed beautifully, becoming part of the landscape. This sailing vessel went down in 1854, which means it’s had plenty of time to fully integrate with the local environment. We love the way its remaining hull sections are now encrusted with colourful jewel anemones, creating these vibrant, soft coral tapestries. You'll find massive pollack often hanging around the more intact sections, and we’ve even spotted inquisitive conger eels peeking out from beneath the larger plates of steel. The structure is quite broken up in places, making for some interesting swim-throughs if you're comfortable with overhead environments. Our favourite part is exploring the smaller nooks and crannies where you can often find crabs and lobsters tucked away. This site is brilliant for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and the slow creep of nature reclaiming man-made objects. It's not a deep dive, making for good bottom time to really soak it all in.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.500553, -5.030221
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Bedruthan Steps and Park Head

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 JOHN TAYLOR

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 JOHN TAYLOR

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