LEONORA - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.467243, -3.184572
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Marine Protected Area: Lyme Bay and Torbay

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 LEONORA

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 LEONORA

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