LA MINETTE - Cornwall & Devon

We love a wreck with a story, and the *La Minette* has one of the most dramatic. This small trawler, just shy of 15 metres, met its end in 1988 not through bad weather, but by snagging a rogue WWII mine in its nets. The resulting explosion shattered its hull, sending it to the seabed in pieces. Today, at 37 metres, she’s a dispersed but fascinating dive, more a debris field than an intact vessel. Dropping down, you’ll find sections of the stern, bow, and wheelhouse scattered across the sand, each piece now heavily encrusted with plumose anemones and dead man’s fingers. Look closely in the nooks and crannies – conger eels often lurk in the bigger sections, and we’ve spotted impressive spider crabs picking their way across the metal. Visibility here can be a bit variable, typical for the Channel, but when it’s good, the light filtering down onto the scattered wreckage makes for a really evocative dive. It’s a site for experienced divers comfortable with depth and navigating a broken wreck, but the history alone makes it worthwhile. Our favourite bit is imagining the sheer force of that blast, still evident in the twisted metal.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.783527, -0.641972
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 MINETTE

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 MINETTE

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