REINE DES FLOTS - Cornwall & Devon

The Reine des Flots, a trawler that met a fiery end in Sutton Harbour back in '82, offers something a bit different. She’s only three metres deep, right in the harbour, so this isn't about vast blue water or deep exploration. Instead, we love it for what it is: a living, breathing artefact of local history, completely colonised by the sea. You’re diving in a working harbour, so expect that brackish scent and a fair bit of boat traffic overhead. But descend, and the wreck instantly comes alive. The hull is thick with plumose anemones, their feathery tentacles swaying in the gentle currents. We’ve seen conger eels tucked into the darker recesses, and crabs scuttling over the decking. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical of a harbour, but on a good day, the light filtering through the surface ripples makes the colours pop. It’s a site for photographers who appreciate the macro, or anyone looking for a relaxed, easy dive with a strong sense of place. Think of it as an urban reef, a snapshot of how nature reclaims even the busiest human spaces.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.368076, -4.131141
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Western King

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 REINE DES FLOTS

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 REINE DES FLOTS

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