LIBERTA - Cornwall & Devon

Liberta, sitting in the shallows off Bolt Head, is one of our favourite shallow wrecks in the UK. We know, a three-metre wreck doesn’t sound like much, but for a sunny day, when you just want to potter about and not worry about deco, this is perfect. She ran aground in a fog back in 1926, and time has certainly done its work. You won't find a pristine wreck outline here; instead, it's a huge field of scattered plates, ribs, and machinery, all beautifully encrusted. It’s less about penetration and more about exploring the nooks and crannies the wreck creates. You’ll find loads of pollack darting through the metalwork, blennies peering out from under plates, and sometimes a big conger eel lurking in the deeper crevices if you're lucky. We always recommend going at slack water on a high tide – the visibility is usually at its best then, and the light penetration really brings out the colours of the kelp and anemones growing all over the wreckage. It’s a brilliant site for newer divers or those who love a long, relaxed dive with plenty to observe.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.209206, -3.785893
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Salcombe to Kingsbridge Estuary

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 LIBERTA

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 LIBERTA

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