RENILDE

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

East of Start Point

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) - RENILDE 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 54m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Renilde is a properly atmospheric dive, sitting in a decent depth that gives it a real sense of adventure. We love dropping down onto her, seeing the fishing vessel emerge from the gloom. She’s not huge, just 16.2m, but she capsized back in ‘81 and the way she lies, slightly on her side, feels quite dramatic. You can’t really penetrate, but we always enjoy exploring the deck machinery. The winches and rigging are still pretty intact, snagged on the bottom just as they were when she went down. This wreck, though small, is a fantastic spot for colder water marine life. We often find conger eels tucked into any available crevice, their heads poking out with that classic wary expression. Crabs scuttle across the plating, and the anemones clinging to the metalwork are surprisingly colourful when you get a torch on them. It’s a dive that suits those comfortable with depth and a bit of a current, rewarding you with a quiet, reflective experience away from the busier coastal sites. Go on a slack tide for the best visibility.