ABRAHAM COVE - Cornwall & Devon

Abraham Cove’s fishing vessel, sunk in 1983, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. It’s not about size here, the wreck is only 10.7m, but about the intimate exploration. We often find the visibility surprisingly good, especially on a settled day with a gentle swell, making the descent feel less like a plunge into the unknown and more like dropping into a well-lit aquarium. The wreck itself is mostly intact, resting on its side, and you can still make out the wheelhouse and the stern. Look for the prop, it’s often covered in jewel anemones, a vivid splash of orange and pink against the grey steel. Around the hull, we always spot bib and pollack darting in and out of the shadows. It’s a site that rewards a slow, methodical dive, allowing you to really soak in the details and the life that has made this fishing boat its home. Our favourite time to dive it is on a slack tide, giving you plenty of time to poke around without fighting the current.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.225586, -4.459437
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
56m

Wreck History - ABRAHAM COVE

Year Sunk
1983
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The Abraham Cove was a small 10.7-meter fishing vessel that was lost on July 13, 1983. The vessel tragically capsized and sank while operating off Gribbin Head, a prominent headland on the south coast of Cornwall. The exact circumstances that led to the vessel's capsizing remain a somber mystery of the sea.

Resting at a depth of 56 meters, the Abraham Cove is a dive reserved for experienced technical and rebreather divers with the appropriate training and equipment for deep decompression dives. The challenging depths and potential for strong currents in the English Channel demand respect. For those qualified to make the descent, the wreck offers a glimpse into a modern maritime tragedy, a small but poignant site sitting upright on the seabed, largely intact and waiting in the quiet, dark waters off the Cornish coast.

Marine Protected Area: Whitsand and Looe Bay

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 ABRAHAM COVE

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 ABRAHAM COVE

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