MEKNES

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

West of Wight-Barfleur

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) - MEKNES 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 57m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Meknes, a liner from a bygone era, is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. Dropping down to 57 metres, she sits upright and largely intact, a real time capsule. We love the scale of her, 126 metres long, you can spend an entire dive exploring just one section and still not see it all. The torpedo blast that sank her in 1940 is still visible, a dramatic scar. Inside, the holds are surprisingly open in places, creating darkened chambers where conger eels lurk, and we’ve even seen huge anglerfish camouflaged against the rust. This isn't a beginner's wreck; it's deep and requires good dive planning and a steady hand. The sheer volume of fish life, though, is incredible. Visibility can be hit or miss, but on a good day, with sunlight filtering down, the shoals of pollock and whiting that swirl around her bridge are mesmerising. Our favourite part? The stern. The propellers are still there, massive and barnacle-encrusted, a testament to her past life as a passenger ship. It’s an absorbing dive, best suited for experienced wreck divers who appreciate history and a healthy dose of marine residents.