MATILDA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Arfordir Penrhyn Angle / Angle Peninsula 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) - MATILDA 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 16m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.