ALBERT - Cornwall & Devon

The ALBERT, sunk in 1899 off the Lizard, is one for the serious wreck heads. Forget your shallow, broken-up coastal wrecks; this is a proper deep dive, pushing the limits at 60 metres. We love the challenge here, the sense of descending into the unknown, knowing you're one of only a few to ever really see her. What you find at that depth is a surprisingly intact steamship, built in Brest way back in 1880. The superstructure is still distinct, and the bow points resolutely into the current, often hosting a cloud of bib and pollock. Drop onto the deck and you can make out the anchor chains, winches, and the ghostly outline of where her holds once were. Visibility can be a real lottery down here, but when it’s good, the light filtering down from above gives the whole scene an ethereal glow. Our pick for an ascent is to spend some time exploring the debris field around the main wreck, where we’ve found everything from ancient bottles to ceramic pieces, encrusted in jewel anemones. This dive suits experienced technical divers with decent bottom time on deco, eager for a deep, historical exploration rather than a quick look.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.224316, -0.992067
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Wreck History - ALBERT

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The steamship Albert was a product of 19th-century French shipbuilding, constructed in the port of Brest in 1880. As a typical workhorse of the steam era, she would have plied the busy shipping lanes of the English Channel and beyond, carrying cargo between European ports. Unfortunately, the specific details of her career and the circumstances that led to her sinking have been lost to time, leaving only the silent wreckage to hint at the story of her final, fateful voyage.

Located in the deep waters off the coast of Cornwall and Devon, the Albert is a serious technical dive, resting at a challenging depth of 60 meters. This depth has helped preserve the wreck but places it firmly beyond the limits of recreational diving, demanding specialized training, equipment, and breathing gases. Those qualified to make the descent are rewarded with the rare sight of a largely intact late-Victorian steamship. Exploring its decaying decks, superstructure, and machinery offers a haunting journey back in time, all while navigating the deep, cool, and often dark waters of the Channel.

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 ALBERT

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 ALBERT

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