MERKUR - Cornwall & Devon

The Merkur sits in a shallow churn of water, making it one of our favourite wreck dives when the weather isn’t playing ball for the deeper stuff. We're talking 10 metres, maximum, so it’s an ideal second dive or a relaxed day out for newer wreck enthusiasts. She went down in 1920 after a collision, and what’s left of her now forms a series of scattered plates and ribs, softened by time and the sea. This isn’t a wreck where you're finning through intact corridors. Instead, we love picking through the smaller, more broken pieces, uncovering engine parts and twisted metal. It’s less about penetration, more about the archaeology of the site, seeing how the structure has completely given over to the ocean. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices, their antennae twitching, and often a few inquisitive dogfish slinking around the edges of the debris. Visibility can be a bit variable here, especially after a good blow, but on a calm day, with a bit of sun filtering through, the metal gleams, and the gentle current makes the kelp sway around the wreckage. We’d suggest going at slack water, if you can time it right, to really take your time exploring the nooks and crannies.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.366250, -3.268850
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Barry Island

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 MERKUR

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 MERKUR

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