MARECA - Cornwall & Devon

The Mareca, a solid steamship from 1882, sits upright at 40 metres, a proper deep dive that’s well worth the effort. We love how intact she feels, like a ghost ship resting on the seabed. You descend onto her deck, still largely coherent, and can push through some of the holds if you're comfortable with overheads. What really makes her for us are the three boilers, standing proud and covered in plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the faint current. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of spider crabs picking their way across the metalwork, and often a big conger eel or two lurking in the darker corners. She's a fantastic wreck for experienced divers comfortable with the depth and cold water, offering a real sense of history and some brilliant macro opportunities if you take your time.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.583780, -4.967753
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Marine Protected Area: Castlemartin Coast

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 MARECA

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 MARECA

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth for diving at the La Machaca dive site in Bonaire?
Information regarding the typical depth for diving at the La Machaca dive site in Bonaire is not available in the provided data context. The details provided pertain to the MARECA wreck, located in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, and do not include information for La Machaca.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at La Machaca?
Information regarding the marine life and underwater features at the La Machaca dive site in Bonaire is not available in the provided data. The context describes the MARECA wreck, a steam ship vessel with three boilers and a compound expansion engine, located in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, but does not include details for La Machaca.
How difficult is the La Machaca dive site, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Information regarding the difficulty level of the La Machaca dive site in Bonaire, or its suitability for beginner divers, is not available in the provided data context. The details provided pertain to the MARECA wreck, an intermediate difficulty wreck dive located in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom.
What is the best time of year to dive at La Machaca for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
The provided data does not include information about the best time of year to dive at the La Machaca dive site in Bonaire for optimal conditions or marine encounters. For general guidance on seasonal diving, you might consult our When to Dive section, but specific details for La Machaca are not available here.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at La Machaca in Bonaire?
The provided data context does not specify the scuba diving certifications required to dive at the La Machaca dive site in Bonaire. The available information describes the MARECA wreck in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, but does not include certification requirements for either site.
What are the typical currents and water conditions like at the La Machaca dive site?
Information regarding the typical currents and water conditions at the La Machaca dive site in Bonaire is not available in the provided data. The context details the MARECA wreck, a 91.4m x 11.3m steamship, located in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, but does not include environmental conditions for La Machaca.