MARY TOOVEY - Cornwall & Devon

The *Mary Toovey* is a proper piece of history sunk off the Cornish coast, and we love a wreck with a story. At 43 metres, it’s a dive for the more experienced among us, a place where you really feel the weight of the water above. We've always found it best to hit this one on a slack tide; the currents here can be a bit frisky, making the penetration tricky if you’re not careful. What makes *Mary Toovey* stand out isn't just its depth, but the way the ocean has completely reclaimed it. You're not just looking at a sunken ship; you're seeing a living reef built on steel. Expect to find conger eels peering out from gaps in the hull, their thick bodies shifting in the gloom. Our favourite moments here are always spent hovering just above the deck, watching schools of pollock stream past, their scales flashing in the limited light that penetrates this far down. The wheelhouse is still largely intact, offering some intriguing swim-throughs for those comfortable with overhead environments – just remember your line and reel. It’s a dive that rewards slow, methodical exploration, uncovering more details the longer you spend with it.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.526670, -2.439000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
43m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 MARY TOOVEY

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 MARY TOOVEY

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