Loanda Wreck - Cornwall & Devon

The Loanda Wreck is one of those sites that just gets under your skin. We love how it’s broken up, scattered across the seabed at around 30 metres, telling a story of its encounter with the shore in 1878. You're not just looking at a pile of metal; you’re navigating through history. The bow section is probably our favourite, rising proudly and offering plenty of nooks to poke a light into. We've seen conger eels that look like they own the place, peering out from beneath collapsed plates, and the resident pollack often circle above the stern, their silver scales catching the sun filtering through the green water. It's a proper British wreck dive, moody and atmospheric, especially when there's a bit of surge. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery here – sometimes 15 metres, other times you're working with five – so we’d suggest picking a calm day with a neap tide for the best experience. It's definitely one for experienced divers who appreciate exploring a piece of maritime history rather than a coral garden.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.140156, 1.422043
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Dover to Kingsdown Cliffs

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 Loanda Wreck

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 Loanda Wreck

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