MATILDA - Cornwall & Devon

The Matilda is one of those Cornish wrecks that just grabs you. We often find ourselves drawn back to her. She’s a sailing vessel, built of wood, which means she’s broken down a fair bit since she went down in 1928, but that only adds to her charm. You’ll find her scattered across the seabed at 16m, her timbers spread out like fallen dominoes, draped in dead man’s fingers and hydroids. Swimming over the remains, you can still pick out the ribs and some of the hull structure. It’s a great spot for navigating through the debris, trying to imagine her as a whole ship. We love poking around the bits where the auxiliary paraffin engine would have been, a real glimpse into early hybrid propulsion. Look closely and you’ll spot velvet crabs scuttling amongst the growth, and conger eels often peek out from under the larger planks. Visibility can be a bit variable here, so we’d suggest aiming for slack water on a neap tide for the best experience. It's a gentle dive, perfect for those who enjoy exploring history on the seabed without deep diving demands.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.695988, -5.080245
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Marine Protected Area: Arfordir Penrhyn Angle / Angle Peninsula Coast

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 MATILDA

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 MATILDA

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