LEONORA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Lyme Bay and Torbay

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) - LEONORA 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 40m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Leonora sits upright on the seabed, a proper time capsule dive off the Cornish coast. We particularly like how intact she is for a wreck of her age; you can still make out the bow, stern, and the general shape of a smack, despite the hundred-plus years she’s spent down there. Dropping onto her deck at 40 metres, the first thing you’ll notice is the way the light filters through the green water, giving everything a muted, ethereal glow. Conger eels are a regular sight, often peeking out from beneath plates of steel, and the wreck itself is fuzzy with anemones and dead man’s fingers. This isn’t a rummage dive; it’s more about appreciating the history and the way the sea has reclaimed her. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the UK, so pick your day carefully. We find that a slack tide dive is crucial here to truly enjoy the wreck without fighting a strong current. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and the slow creep of marine life over man-made structures, ideal for experienced divers comfortable with deeper, colder conditions.