MERTHYR - Cornwall & Devon

The MERTHYR, off the coast of Cornwall, is a cracking dive for anyone who appreciates a bit of history with their nitrogen narcosis. This steamship met its end in 1913, and what remains today is a surprisingly intact structure that feels more like a ghost ship than scattered debris. We love how the hull rises from the seabed, still offering proper penetration opportunities for those with the right training – think dark, echoing corridors where torches cut through the gloom, revealing the ship’s skeleton. Our favourite sections are the engine room, which still has some machinery recognisable, and the bow, often swarming with schools of pollack. The visibility here can vary wildly, as it often does in UK waters, so pick a calm day with a neap tide for the best chance of a clear run. When it’s good, the light filtering through the overhead structures is genuinely atmospheric, painting the interior with shifting patterns. Expect to share your dive with resident conger eels peeking from every crevice and the occasional lobster clambering over the plates. It’s a proper wreck diver’s wreck, less about blazing colours and more about exploration and a tangible connection to the past.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.542120, -4.145613
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Great Tor (Three Cliff Bay)

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 MERTHYR

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 MERTHYR

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