MESSINA - Cornwall & Devon

The Messina is one of those deep wrecks that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a proper time capsule. Lying at 49 metres, she’s a steamship that went down in 1885, and for us, that history really tells when you drop onto her. You’ll find her largely intact, boilers still prominent, and the single shaft leading off to the stern. We love poking around her engine room section, imagining the crew trying to save her as she foundered. She’s a big girl at 70 metres long, so you’ll want more than one dive to properly get a feel for her. The bow section is our favourite for lingering, often draped in plumose anemones, their feathery tentacles swaying in the gentle surge. Visibility here can be surprisingly good on a calm day, sometimes pushing 15 metres, which really lets you appreciate the scale. Keep an eye out for resident conger eels, they’re often found in the darker recesses of the holds. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, no doubt, demanding good buoyancy and gas planning. It’s cold, dark, and deep, but utterly rewarding.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.307450, -1.821417
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

Marine Protected Area: Albert Field

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 MESSINA

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 MESSINA

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