MOLIERE - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.018837, -4.574448
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

Marine Protected Area: Marsland to Clovelly Coast

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 MOLIERE

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 MOLIERE

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