LES MERCENAIRES - Cornwall & Devon

This isn't just another fishing vessel on the seabed, it’s a properly moody wreck. Dropping down onto Les Mercenaires, you immediately feel the weight of its story. She lies mostly intact at 30 metres, an upright hull, listing slightly to port, with the wheelhouse still largely discernible. We love poking around the stern, where the nets are still eerily draped, giving you a real sense of its working life before it went down. For those who appreciate maritime history with their dive, this is a real treat. We’ve found conger eels tucked into every dark corner, their heads poking out like grumpy old men, and the odd inquisitive pollack will often shadow you. Visibility here can be hit or miss, typical for the English Channel, so we always suggest picking a day with settled weather and slack tides. Catch it right, and the light filtering through the green water makes for some dramatic photo opportunities. It's a proper British wreck dive; a bit chilly, a bit silty, but utterly rewarding.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.362583, -3.481550
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Marine Protected Area: Berry Head to Sharkham Point

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 LES MERCENAIRES

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 LES MERCENAIRES

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