LEONARD PEARCE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Morte Platform

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - LEONARD PEARCE offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 46m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

We love a good deep wreck, and the *Leonard Pearce* is a proper dive for those comfortable with their buoyancy and deco stops. Dropping down to 46 metres, you’ll find a solid wreck, mostly intact, lying on her port side. Built just two years before she sank in 1940 after a collision, there’s a real sense of history here. We always find the bow impressive, standing proud with the anchor chains still visible, and the stern offers a chance to poke around the propeller and rudder if visibility allows. Our favourite part is the engine room, surprisingly accessible if you’re careful and well-prepared for overhead environments. It’s dark in there, properly dark, so a good torch is essential to pick out the triple-expansion engine. Outside, the decks are home to decent-sized conger eels, tucked into every nook, and we’ve seen some hefty lobsters too. While it’s a deep dive, the lack of strong current on many days makes it manageable for advanced divers seeking a rewarding exploration rather than a drift. Come equipped for cold water, even in summer, and plan your gas carefully.