MARIA ASUMPTA - Cornwall & Devon

The Maria Asumpta, off Pentire Point, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. She’s an old girl, built way back in 1858, a three-masted barque that met her end in 1995. We love how much of her remains; you can really get a feel for her scale at 37.5 metres long. Her bow points west, often catching the last rays of sun filtering through the water. Diving the Asumpta, you drop onto her deck and immediately notice the mast sections lying across the hull. The stern is probably our favourite part, with the propeller and rudder still in place – a dramatic sight as the current tugs at your fins. Schools of pollack often swirl around the broken deckhouses, darting in and out of the shadows. Look closely at the ribs of the hull, now draped in dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones. The engine room is accessible for those with the right training, and inside, the two large oil engines are still largely intact, a testament to her last journey. This is a dive that suits those with a bit of wreck experience, comfortable with depths down to around 30 metres, and who appreciate a wreck with a real story. The visibility here can vary wildly, so pick a calm day with an incoming tide for the best chance of a clear run.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.587210, -4.936066
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Pentire Peninsula

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 MARIA ASUMPTA

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 MARIA ASUMPTA

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