PRINCE IVANHOE - Cornwall & Devon

The Prince Ivanhoe, or what’s left of her anyway, sits in laughably shallow water near the entrance to the River Teign. This isn’t a grand wreck dive, but it’s an absolute blast for the right kind of diver. She was a passenger ferry, sank in '81 after hitting some rocks, and now her wooden skeleton is scattered across a couple of metres of seabed. We love this spot for a lazy afternoon dip, especially when the sun is out and you can really appreciate the play of light through the water. You’re essentially snorkelling or free diving over what looks like giant, waterlogged pick-up sticks, but look closer. The timber ribs and decking are completely encrusted with plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and nudibranchs. We’ve spent ages just hovering, watching crabs scuttle through the gaps and small pollock dart between the beams. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly with wide-angle if you can get low and frame those colourful anemones against the dappled surface. It’s easily accessible and suits anyone who enjoys a relaxed exploration rather than a deep, penetrative wreck dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.544266, -4.197817
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Gower

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 PRINCE IVANHOE

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 PRINCE IVANHOE

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