WILHELMINA J - Cornwall & Devon

The Wilhelmina J, lying deep at 51 metres, is a serious dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts. We’re talking about a classic British fishing vessel, sitting upright and surprisingly intact on the seabed, despite her violent end in a collision back in 1991. What we love about her is the story she tells – a proper maritime tragedy in thick fog and darkness, and the subsequent, solemn return to the seabed after the crew were recovered. Dropping down, the visibility can be variable, as is often the case in these waters, but when it’s good, the sheer bulk of her emerges from the gloom, almost ghostly. You can still make out the wheelhouse, the mast, and the general layout of a working trawler. The stern, in particular, is a favourite spot of ours, often draped in fishing nets, home to wrasse and pollock that dart in and out of the shadows. There’s a quiet solemnity down there; it feels like you're visiting a forgotten monument. For those who appreciate the history as much as the structure itself, and are comfortable with the depth and potential for colder, darker water, the Wilhelmina J is a truly rewarding dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.486465, -0.106450
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
51m

Marine Protected Area: Beachy Head West

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 WILHELMINA J

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 WILHELMINA J

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