MOTANO (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Ah, Motano. Or probably Motano, anyway. This wreck, a steamship sunk in 1917, sits deep at 58 metres, making it a serious technical dive for those comfortable with decompression. We love the challenge here, and the reward is a remarkably intact cargo vessel. What you get is a grand tour of early 20th-century maritime engineering. You’ll fin over two enormous boilers, the triple-expansion engine still largely in place – a real testament to its build. Schools of pollack often swirl through the superstructure, and the deck plates are thick with dead man's fingers and anemones. It’s dark, obviously, but your torch beam picks out details, like the remnants of crew quarters now home to lobsters. We always recommend hitting this one on a slack tide, otherwise, you'll be fighting a significant current, and the best bits are well inside the wreck, which you’ll want time to explore properly.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.234300, -3.044267
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
58m

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 MOTANO (PROBABLY)

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 MOTANO (PROBABLY)

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