LOE BAR WRECK - Cornwall & Devon

Diving Loe Bar isn’t about dramatic drop-offs or pristine corals. It’s about history, plain and simple, and sometimes, those dives are our favourite. This isn’t some intact ship waiting to be penetrated. What you’ll find here, scattered across the seabed at a gentle 10 metres, are the evocative remains of a 17th-century East Indiaman. We’re talking hefty iron guns, an anchor lying proud, and other large, unidentifiable iron objects that whisper tales of 1684. The wreck itself feels ancient, a true relic. Imagine what this ship carried: spices, indigo, even jewellery from India, bound for London before she met her end. While the visibility can be typical Cornish, shifting with the tides, those iron structures provide fantastic shelter for local life. Look for shoals of bib darting through the cannon carriages, sea slugs making their slow way across the encrusted metal, and small crabs scuttling amongst the scattered timbers. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the narrative beneath the waves, for anyone who finds beauty in the past. We’d suggest a calm day, early in the morning, to really soak up the atmosphere before any chop kicks in.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.063440, -5.290669
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Penrose

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 LOE BAR 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 LOE BAR 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