MAYALS - Cornwall & Devon

Mayals, lying in about 11 metres, is one of our favourite wreck dives on the south coast. This old schooner went down in 1931 and it’s a lovely, straightforward dive, perfect for divers who appreciate a bit of history without excessive depth. The wreck itself is reasonably intact for its age, a decent size at 32.4m, and it’s become a proper artificial reef. What we love about Mayals is the way the wreck structure has been completely colonised. We always find conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses, often just their heads poking out from under a plate. The bow section is particularly good for exploring; you can peer into what’s left of the holds and imagine the cargo. You’ll see plenty of wrasse darting through the timbers and often some very curious pollack will come to check you out. It’s a site that changes with the light, too; on a sunny day, the ambient light filtering down makes the outlines of the wreck really pop, but even on an overcast day, the muted colours have their own charm. It’s a relaxed dive, really. The currents are generally mild here, making it suitable for less experienced divers looking to get comfortable on a wreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.702100, -5.039416
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Marine Protected Area: Pembrokeshire Marine / Sir Benfro Forol

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 MAYALS

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 MAYALS

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