MEKNES - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.190420, -2.228972
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
57m

Marine Protected Area: West of Wight-Barfleur

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 MEKNES

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 MEKNES

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