LEON MARTIN (PART OF) - Cornwall & Devon

The Leon Martin is a real favourite of ours when we’re diving the south coast of Cornwall. This tanker, sunk by a mine in 1940, lies in just 11 metres, making it perfect for longer dives and even a good introduction to wreck diving. She’s broken up now, scattered across the seabed, but that’s part of her charm. We love poking around the plates and twisted metal, imagining the sheer size of her when she was intact. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of life sheltering in the nooks and crannies. Conger eels are often coiled up in the larger pieces of wreckage, and the smaller swim-throughs are usually packed with pollack. We’ve had some cracking dives here, with visibility often hitting 8-10 metres on a good day, especially around slack tide. It’s a great site for photographers, the light playing beautifully off the metal, and the shallower depth means you get good ambient light for most of the dive. Just watch the currents around spring tides, they can really rip through here.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.135310, -5.019379
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Marine Protected Area: Carricknath Point to Porthbean Beach

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 LEON MARTIN (PART OF)

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 LEON MARTIN (PART OF)

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