ALBATROSS - Cornwall & Devon

The Albatross, off the coast of Cornwall, is one of our favourite UK wrecks. It’s a fishing trawler that went down in the 1980s, not too deep, settling upright on a sandy seabed. You get a real sense of its working life when you swim over the deck; the winches and deck machinery are still very much present, just draped in kelp and anemones now. We love how the light filters down through the green water here, illuminating shoals of bib and pouting that swirl around the wheelhouse. Penetration isn't really an option, but there's plenty to explore externally. Look for the resident conger eels tucked into any crevice, and the vibrant jewel anemones that carpet sections of the superstructure. It's an ideal site for anyone keen on wreck diving without extreme depth or current challenges. Visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss, but on a good day, it’s just a truly atmospheric dive, especially if you catch it when the tide is slack. We'd suggest checking the local tide tables and aiming for high slack water for the best experience.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.731426, -0.049060
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
21m

Wreck History - ALBATROSS

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
fire

Unlike the historic wrecks that dot the English Channel, the Albatross is a more modern tragedy. This private yacht met a sudden and fiery end, succumbing to a blaze that ultimately sent her to the seabed. The exact date of her loss is not widely recorded, but the report from the Shoreham Coastguard tells of a vessel lost not to a storm or collision, but to an onboard inferno. Now resting in 21 meters of water, the wreck of the Albatross offers a different kind of dive. It's a chance to explore the remains of a vessel of leisure, its form still recognizable, and contemplate the dramatic final moments that transformed it from a pleasure craft into a silent underwater habitat.

Marine Protected Area: Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

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 ALBATROSS

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 ALBATROSS

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