PROTESILAUS

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Bracelet Bay

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - PROTESILAUS offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 5m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Protesilaus isn't about depth or vibrant corals. It’s about history, cold water archaeology, and the surprising life that clings to metal on the seabed. We love this site for its accessibility and the sheer impact of its story. This steamship met its end in 1940, a victim of a mine, and now lies broken but mostly intact at a mere five metres. The wreck is quite broken up in places, but you can still pick out significant sections of the hull and superstructure. We find the bow particularly dramatic, often shrouded in a green twilight, with schools of juvenile pollock swirling around the twisted metal. Look closely and you’ll spot plumose anemones, their feathery tentacles swaying with the gentle surge, and velvet swimming crabs scuttling amongst the plates. The visibility here can vary wildly, but on a good day, with a bit of sun, the light filtering through the kelp can be quite magical. It’s a site that suits newer wreck divers or anyone looking for a relaxed, atmospheric dive without the need for advanced skills. Go at slack tide for the easiest conditions, and remember a good torch – even at five metres, the shadows can be deep.