LITTLE PEARL

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

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) - LITTLE PEARL 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 15m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Little Pearl is exactly what it sounds like – a small, intact wreck that feels like finding a little treasure. We love how relatively new she is, having gone down in 2011, which means you’re not dealing with decades of decay or a site picked clean by other divers. Her GRP hull is still very much in one piece, lying upright at a comfortable 15 metres, making it a brilliant spot for newer wreck divers or those looking for a relaxed bimble. You can swim right around her, peek into the small wheelhouse, and imagine the fishing gear still being used. The outboard engine is still there, a surprising detail that gives you a real sense of her final moments. Critters have certainly moved in; we’ve seen plenty of inquisitive cuckoo wrasse flitting about, the odd lobster tucked into a crevice, and plumose anemones starting to colonise the exposed surfaces. It’s not a deep or demanding dive, making it perfect for a second tank or a gentle introduction to wreck diving in the UK. We’d suggest going at slack water, as currents can pick up a bit here. Keep an eye out for the net puller, a distinct feature that really tells the story of her working life.