MERRIBAR - Cornwall & Devon

Merrbar, a small fishing vessel that went down in 1988, is a cracker of a dive if you're looking for something a bit different off the Cornish coast. We love a good small wreck, and this one, at only 7.6 metres, is easily taken in on a single dive. She sits upright in 33 metres, and while the structure itself is starting to break down, the way the current has sculpted the metal is pretty fascinating. What makes Merrbar really shine for us is the sheer volume of life that has claimed her. You'll find the entire wreck draped in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying like a field of flowers in the surge. Look closer amongst the tangled fishing gear and you’ll spot velvet crabs scuttling, and often a squat lobster or two peering out from a crevice. It’s a photographer's dream on a clear day, especially when the light shafts through the kelp forest that has grown up around her. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, perfect for those who enjoy picking out the smaller details and don't need a massive freighter to feel like they’ve had a proper wreck dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.489470, -2.449646
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Marine Protected Area: South of Portland

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 MERRIBAR

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 MERRIBAR

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