PAGANINA - Cornwall & Devon

Paganina is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. She’s only a small fishing vessel, just 9.1 metres long, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in character. Sunk during a storm in 1992, with the tragic loss of her three crew, she now lies upright in a modest 15 metres, often silhouetted against the emerald light filtering down from the surface. We love Paganina because she’s so accessible. Even newer divers can comfortably explore her, and for photographers, the shallow depth means plenty of light for playing with ambient shots. The stern is our favourite, with the single propeller still intact and often shrouded in clouds of jewel anemones. Look closely around the bow for squat lobsters peeking from crevices. You'll often find conger eels tucked into the engine room, their heads barely visible in the gloom. It’s a poignant site, a reminder of the sea’s power, but also a thriving habitat. We usually pair her with a drift dive nearby, making for a perfect half-day trip.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.578323, -4.954953
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Trebetherick 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 PAGANINA

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 PAGANINA

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