MATELDA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Jersey Coast

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) - MATELDA 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 1m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Matelda. What a name for a wreck, eh? This isn't your average deep-sea exploration, given she's practically sunbathing on the rocks between Grève de Lecq and Plemont. We love Matelda for its sheer accessibility and the way she’s been slowly reclaimed by the sea. Sunk in 1875, this cutter vessel is now less a ship and more a series of barnacle-encrusted ribs and planks, a skeleton picked clean by time and tide. You’ll want to visit Matelda at low tide, ideally on a calm day. The water’s usually cool here, even in summer, so a decent wetsuit is a good idea. We’ve spent hours here just watching the shallow-water life weave through the exposed timbers. It's a real nursery, full of juvenile wrasse, scuttling crabs, and anemones clinging to every surface. The light plays beautifully through the clear, shallow water, highlighting the green and brown algae that coats the remaining structure. It's not a deep dive, obviously – more of a snorkel or a very shallow free dive, but the sense of history, combined with the vibrant rock pool ecosystem, makes it a surprisingly engaging experience. Our favourite thing is finding the small, bright gobies darting between the cracks. Perfect for anyone who loves exploring intertidal zones and wants a tangible piece of maritime history right under their nose.