LE POILU - Cornwall & Devon

Le Poilu isn't your average pile of twisted metal. This ketch, sunk off Sark in 1921, sits upright and surprisingly intact, and that's why we love it. Dropping onto her deck at 20m, you immediately get a sense of her shape, the bow pointing into the current, the stern slightly deeper. It’s not a huge wreck, but she’s beautifully colonised. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones swaying in the gentle surge, especially around the mast step and the intact bow section. Look for lobsters tucked into any crevice, and big conger eels often peek out from under the collapsed deck plating midships. The hold is still accessible, offering a dark swim-through that always gives us a shiver, but keep an eye out for dogfish resting on the silty bottom. This is a brilliant dive for those who appreciate history and macro life, without battling strong currents. Go on a slack tide for the best visibility; it just opens the wreck up.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.439835, -2.337444
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

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 LE POILU

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 POILU

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