LE MERLE - Cornwall & Devon

The Le Merle, a trawler resting at 49 metres, is a serious dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts. This isn't a site for beginners; it demands careful planning and good gas management, but the rewards are significant. We love how intact she is, still sitting upright on the seabed, her mast often rising a good way towards the surface. Descending through the green, slightly particulate water, her shape slowly coalesces – a proper ship rather than just scattered debris. Inside the wheelhouse, we’ve spotted conger eels the size of small tree trunks peering out from shadowed corners, and the holds are often full of bib and pollack. Sunlight rarely reaches this depth with any real intensity, so a good torch is essential for picking out the details, like the ship’s wheel, which often remains. For those who appreciate the quiet solemnity of a deep, intact wreck, the Le Merle delivers a genuinely compelling experience. It’s a dive that stays with you, a real sense of history preserved in the cold embrace of the Atlantic.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.730095, -1.710608
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

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 LE MERLE

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 LE MERLE

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