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PARMELIA

The Parmelia is a cracking little site, tucked away near Cremyll Point in Devonport, not far from Plymouth. This isn’t your deep, dramatic wreck dive; it’s shallow, accessible, and honestly, a lot of fun. What we love about the Parmelia is its history – she was a ship instrumental in establishing Western Australia, then tragically caught fire and sank in 1839. You won’t find towering superstructures here, but rather the beautiful, scattered remains of a wooden sailing vessel, now completely colonised by the local sea life. Diving the Parmelia feels like uncovering a secret. We’ve spent many a slack water dive here, poking around the ribs and timbers, imagining the ship's past. Look closely, and you’ll spot colourful jewel anemones clinging to the wood, vibrant against the dark timbers. Dogfish often rest in the sand nearby, and if you’re patient, small wrasse flit in and out of the crevices. Our favourite time to dive it is on a sunny day with good visibility, often an hour either side of slack high tide, when the light penetrates the water and really brings the wreck to life. It’s perfect for newer divers looking for a rewarding wreck experience without the intimidation of depth or strong currents, or for experienced divers just wanting a relaxed potter amongst history.