MEG MERRILIES - Cornwall & Devon

The *Meg Merrilies* is a proper piece of history, resting upright on the seabed at 34 metres. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks with a story, and this steamship, lost to an aircraft bombing in 1941, delivers. Descending onto her deck, you’re met with a stark, shadowy outline emerging from the gloom, the superstructure still largely intact. It’s a fantastic rummage dive, plenty of entry points for the suitably qualified, where you can nose around the cargo holds, sometimes spotting defunct machinery or scattered debris. We’ve seen conger eels coiled in the deeper sections, their heads poking out from pipes, and the decks are often carpeted in jewel anemones, particularly vibrant in the beam of a torch. The sheer scale of the *Meg Merrilies* is what we love most; she feels vast, a silent testament to a bygone era. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration, perfect for advanced divers who appreciate maritime heritage and don't mind the chillier Atlantic water. Always check the tides though; currents here can be a real nuisance if you get it wrong.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.550450, -4.867763
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m

Marine Protected Area: Stackpole Quay - Trewent Point

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 MEG MERRILIES

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 MEG MERRILIES

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