MARIE MAGDELINE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

North West of Lundy

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 MAGDELINE 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 53m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Marie Magdeline sits deep, a proper expedition dive at 53 metres, and we love it for that challenge alone. This isn't a casual dip; it’s a commitment, but the reward is a tangible piece of history. Sunk by a German U-boat in 1918, she’s a sailing vessel, which means a very different wreck experience than your usual steamship. You won’t find huge boilers or engine rooms here, but rather a more graceful, skeletal structure. Dropping down, the light fades quickly, and the wreck appears, often shrouded in the silty, green-blue water that’s so characteristic of this coast. We’ve found the stern section often holds the most interest, with parts of the wooden hull still identifiable. Look closely, and you’ll see plumose anemones clinging to every surface, waving like delicate white flowers in the current. Ling are common, peering out from beneath collapsed timbers, and we’ve even spotted conger eels snaking through deeper crevices. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet, reflective nature of deep wrecks and the stark beauty of a century-old vessel reclaimed by the sea. Pick a calm day, and be ready for a decompression obligation.