PRINCESS IRENE - Cornwall & Devon

Princess Irene is a lovely introduction to wreck diving. She sits shallow, just five metres deep, spread across the rocks at Brimstone. We’ve visited her a few times, always on a calm day, because those winds that sunk her can still make things lively. You’ll find her bones scattered, not an intact ship, but the remains are substantial enough to feel like a proper wreck. Rusting plates and twisted metal create little hidey-holes for the local critters. Conger eels are a common sight, peering out from under steel beams, and we’ve often spotted lobsters tucked into crevices. The way the light plays through the kelp on a sunny day, hitting the dark metal, is quite atmospheric. It’s not a big dive, but it’s a tranquil one, perfect for refining your buoyancy or just enjoying a relaxed poke around. A good pick for newer divers, or when you just want a gentle dive without the hassle of deeper, more technical wrecks.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.630440, -5.063856
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Marine Protected Area: Broomhill Burrows

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 PRINCESS IRENE

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 PRINCESS IRENE

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