MARIE DES ISLES

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Lyme Bay and Torbay

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) - MARIE DES ISLES 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 36m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The *Marie des Isles* is a classic Channel wreck, plain and simple. We love that it’s sitting upright on a sandy seabed, almost exactly as she settled back in '80, making for a really satisfying dive. You drop down onto the wheelhouse, which is still largely intact, before you start exploring the decks. There are some great penetration opportunities into the holds if you’ve got the right training and gear – just remember it's a tight squeeze in spots. Visibility can be a bit hit-or-miss here; aim for neap tides and slack water for your best shot at seeing more than a few metres. What really makes the *Marie des Isles* special, though, is the sheer amount of life that has moved in. Ballan wrasse dart in and out of every nook and cranny, and the deck plating is absolutely carpeted with plumose anemones, swaying gently in the current. Look closely amongst the debris and you’ll often spot massive spider crabs hunkering down. It’s a proper dive into a working vessel, now a thriving artificial reef, and our pick for anyone who appreciates the history of these old trawlers, provided you're comfortable with the depth.