PRINCESS LOUISE (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The *Princess Louise* wreck, or at least what we're pretty sure is the *Princess Louise*, sits in a genuinely sweet spot for a relaxed dive in Cornwall. It's a schooner, gone down in 1924, and what you get now is a fairly scattered site at only 6m deep. We’ve found her at her best on a slack tide, with decent sunlight, when the ambient light penetrates right to the seabed, really bringing out the colours of the kelp and the sponges that have taken hold. What we love about this wreck is how much of it is still identifiable, despite the years. You can pick out sections of hull, ribs reaching up like skeletal fingers, and the occasional piece of deck machinery peeking through the sand. It’s not a deep penetration wreck, obviously, but there’s enough structure to weave around. Look out for the wrasse darting between the timbers and the flatfish camouflaged on the sandy patches around the edges. It’s an ideal site for anyone looking for an easy-going wreck dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture that classic Cornish green-water wreck feel without the pressure of depth or strong currents. Our favourite trick is to take our time here, covering the whole site slowly, letting your eyes adjust to the details.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.424366, -3.134600
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Marine Protected Area: Penarth Coast

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 LOUISE (PROBABLY)

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 LOUISE (PROBABLY)

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