MARTHA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

South of Portland

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) - MARTHA 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 46m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Martha is a proper deep wreck, a World War I casualty sitting upright at 46 metres. We reckon it’s one of the more satisfying dives around here if you’re comfortable with the depth. Dropping down, you’ll find her reasonably intact, with the bow pointing west. She's broken just aft of the holds, but the stern section and engine room offer plenty to nose around. We love poking through the triple-expansion engine, it’s a solid piece of industrial history down there. It’s the sheer scale and the sense of history that draws us back. Over a century on, the Martha is heavily encrusted, attracting conger eels that peer out from every crevice and dogfish patrolling the perimeter. Visibility can swing, but on a good day, you get that classic deep wreck silhouette against the gloom. Our tip: aim for slack water on a neap tide for the most relaxed dive, and bring a good torch; it’s dark down there, even on a sunny day. This one's definitely for experienced wreck divers who appreciate a substantial piece of maritime heritage.