ALBATROSS

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

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) - ALBATROSS 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 21m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.

Typical ALBATROSS Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Depth of 21m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:1717:1911h 2m daylightGolden hour 16:34

ALBATROSS Wreck History

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.