PERSIER - Cornwall & Devon

If you’re diving the south coast, the *Persier* is absolutely one to prioritise. We love a good big wreck, and at 122m, this former Belgian cargo steamer delivers. She was sunk by a mine in 1945 and now rests upright, mostly intact, though time and trawlers have taken their toll on the superstructure. Dropping down onto the main deck at 26m, you’re often greeted by schools of pouting, sometimes so thick they obscure the bow. It’s a proper swim-through wreck, with cavernous holds you can penetrate if you're comfortable. Our favourite part is exploring the stern, where the prop shaft alley is still accessible and often shelters conger eels the size of a diver's thigh. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into crevices and the occasional lobster peering out from under plating. Visibility here can be hit or miss; a good slack tide on a neap will give you the best chance of decent light, otherwise it's an atmospheric, torch-lit dive. This one suits experienced wreck divers who appreciate the history and the sheer scale of a major shipwreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.284916, -3.968667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
26m

Marine Protected Area: Erme Estuary

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 PERSIER

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 PERSIER

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