LA HAVRE - Cornwall & Devon

La Havre is a fantastic shallow wreck, truly something special for a low-tide dive. She was a steamship, heading from Southampton to Guernsey when she went down on the Platte Bove Rock back in 1875. What’s left now is quite broken up, but that’s part of her charm. We love how the scattered plates and ribs have created so many nooks and crannies. When you drop in, you’re looking at around 5 metres, making it perfect for an extended rummage. Even at that depth, the sheer volume of metal, spread across the seabed, offers plenty to explore. We’ve spent many an hour just tracing the lines of her hull, imagining the steam engines that once drove her. You'll often spot wrasse darting between the plates, and the anemones really do cling to every available surface. Our favourite time to dive La Havre is definitely on a calm day, close to slack high water for the best visibility, though the site is accessible for a longer duration due to its shallow depth. It’s a site that suits anyone keen on historical wrecks without the need for deep diving, and it's superb for photographers looking for interesting structures and vibrant shallow water life.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.520668, -2.419667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 LA HAVRE

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 LA HAVRE

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