MOLIERE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Marsland to Clovelly Coast

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) - MOLIERE 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 28m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Molière is one of those wrecks that just delivers. We’ve always loved how the torpedo strike, way back in 1918, buckled her midships, making her feel more dramatic than your average upright steamer. Dropping down, you’ll find that characteristic list to port immediately obvious, a great visual cue. She sits mostly intact, a fantastic 80-meter playground for exploration. We often spend our first few minutes finning the length of her, just soaking in the scale. The bow section, with its anchor chains spilling out, feels particularly grand. Further back, the triple-expansion engine is a real highlight; you can often peer into the cylinders, a tangible link to her working life. She’s a magnet for marine life, as you'd expect in these waters. Conger eels are almost guaranteed residents, often peeking out from darkened compartments. Ballan wrasse dart amongst the plates, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky pollack hovering over the deeper sections. Visibility in this part of the Channel can be hit or miss, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates, the Molière truly shines. It’s a proper dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts.