MIZPAH

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - MIZPAH offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 60m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Mizpah, now this is a proper wreck dive, a real piece of history waiting down there. She went down back in 1877, a steamship carrying oranges from Seville, which just adds to her charm. Lying at 60 metres, she's definitely one for the experienced wreckies, the ones who appreciate a deeper dive and the stillness that comes with it. When we visit, the first thing that hits you, after the initial descent through the green, is the sheer scale. She’s remarkably intact for her age, with her bow often the most photogenic part. The stern, where her single boiler and engine would have been, is a jumble of twisted metal, but still offers plenty to poke around in. We especially love the swim-throughs around the midship area, where the original wooden decking has long rotted away, leaving open spaces for exploration. Keep an eye out for conger eels here; they love the dark recesses. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, so we’d always suggest checking local reports, but even on an average day, the sheer history of the Mizpah makes the effort worthwhile. It's a sombre, beautiful dive, a true testament to the sea's power and time's relentless march.