Louis Shield - Cornwall & Devon

The Louis Shield, a trawler lost to a mine in 1943, sits upright and largely intact, making it one of our favourite wreck dives in the region. Dropping down, the hull looms out of the gloom, often cloaked in plumose anemones that sway gently with the surge. We love tracing the deck, seeing the large prop still in place, and imagining the scene of its final moments. Penetration is possible for trained wreck divers, with the engine room a particular highlight, though even a circumnavigation offers plenty to explore. Conger eels peer from every gap, their thick bodies disappearing into the darkness of the holds, and often a grumpy anglerfish can be spotted hunkering down amongst the debris on the seabed. Best dived on slack water to avoid strong currents, this site offers a real connection to wartime history and a fantastic home for Cornwall’s resident marine life. It’s a rewarding dive for those comfortable in deeper water and with some wreck experience.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.261944, -3.862778
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10-30m

Marine Protected Area: Start Point to Plymouth Sound & Eddystone

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 Louis Shield

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 Louis Shield

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