MAYALS

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Pembrokeshire Marine / Sir Benfro Forol

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) - MAYALS 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 11m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.