NICOLAOU VIRGINIA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Castlemartin 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) - NICOLAOU VIRGINIA 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 20m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Nicolaou Virginia, or what’s left of her anyway, is a proper chunk of history resting in Whitsand Bay. We love a wreck with a story, and this old steamer, sunk in '46, has seen a bit. She's broken up now, mostly scattered across the seabed at 20 metres, but that’s precisely what makes her so interesting to explore. It’s less about penetration here and more about picking through the debris field. You’ll find huge plates of steel, ribs of the hull, and the enormous boilers that powered her – still very much recognisable. The way the light filters down, even on a cloudy day, gives it a moody, atmospheric feel. We’ve had some cracking dives here, navigating between the broken sections. Look closely, and you’ll spot plumose anemones carpeting the metalwork and dogfish often resting in the sandy patches nearby. It’s a site that rewards patient exploration, perfect for those who enjoy piecing together a wreck's past rather than just swimming through corridors. Our tip: go on a calm day; visibility can be a bit changeable, but when it’s good, it’s a brilliant dive.