MAPLEFIELD

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Stackpole Quay - Trewent Point

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) - MAPLEFIELD 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 44m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Maplefield is a proper piece of history, resting upright on the seabed at 44 meters. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks that tell a story, and this one certainly does, a 1941 steamship gone down in a collision in 1945. It’s a deep dive, no doubt, and really suits those with some technical experience under their belt. When you drop down, the sheer scale of her is impressive, especially the bow section which is still very much intact. We love exploring the bridge area; it’s collapsed a bit but you can still get a real sense of the layout, imagining what it was like just before she went down. Look for the triple expansion engine, it's a fantastic sight. The wreck is absolutely smothered in plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the current, and we’ve often seen conger eels poking their heads out from deeper recesses. Visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss here, so we always check the tides and aim for slack water on a rising tide for the best chance of a clear view. It makes all the difference when you can really soak in the atmosphere.