PINTADO - Cornwall & Devon

The Pintado, off the coast of Cornwall, is a cracking little wreck for divers seeking something a bit different. She’s not huge, just 7.6 metres, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in character and accessibility. Sunk in 1992 after a fire, she sits upright at 27 metres, perfectly preserved, making her an ideal second dive or a good target for newer wreck divers comfortable at that depth. We love dropping onto her deck, still largely intact, and poking around the small cabin. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the UK, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully through the remaining structure. Our favourite part is the abundance of local critters that have made her home. Expect to see dogfish tucked into crevices, spider crabs scuttling over the plating, and small schools of pollack circling the mast. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, too – they seem to thrive on the Pintado’s metal hull. It's a genuinely rewarding dive, a proper piece of maritime history brought to life by the ocean.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.412800, -3.447738
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Marine Protected Area: Berry Head to Sharkham 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 PINTADO

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 PINTADO

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