MARTHA - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.454117, -2.636200
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
46m

Marine Protected Area: South of Portland

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 MARTHA

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 MARTHA

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