ALEX VAN OPSTAL - Cornwall & Devon

We think the *Alex van Opstal* is one of the better dives off the Lizard, a true standout among the Cornish wrecks. She was a big girl, 128 metres of cargo ship, and when she hit a mine in 1939, she went down quickly, breaking into three main sections. You’ll find her sitting upright at 28 metres, which means you get to really appreciate her scale. We love swimming the length of her, feeling that cold metal rise out of the gloom. The stern section, with its enormous propeller, is our favourite part. Look closely around the prop blades for conger eels, some of them are huge here. Heading forward, you can often duck into the cargo holds if you're comfortable with overhead environments and good on your buoyancy. Just remember to bring a decent torch – it gets dark in there. The bow lies a little further off, often a bit more broken up, but still home to clouds of jewel anemones, all those vibrant oranges and pinks against the steel. The visibility here can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the UK, but when it's good, say 10 metres, it's a magnificent dive. It's a dive for experienced wreck lovers, no doubt. The current can pick up, so time your dive for slack water.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.541460, -2.269193
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

Wreck History - ALEX VAN OPSTAL

Year Sunk
1939
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
mine

The Belgian merchant ship *Alex Van Opstal* was a modern vessel, built in 1937 and owned by the prestigious Cie Maritime Belge. Her story is a poignant reminder of the sudden and far-reaching impact of World War II. In September 1939, with the war less than two weeks old, the neutral vessel was on a transatlantic passage from New York to her home port of Antwerp, carrying general cargo.

On September 15, 1939, while navigating the English Channel, the *Alex Van Opstal* struck a German-laid mine off the coast of Weymouth. The explosion was catastrophic, and the ship sank, becoming one of the very first neutral vessels lost in the conflict. Today, she lies at a depth of 28 meters, a popular and fascinating site for advanced recreational divers. Exploring her remains offers a direct connection to the opening days of the war and serves as an underwater memorial to a conflict that would soon engulf the world.

Marine Protected Area: Studland to Portland

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 ALEX VAN OPSTAL

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 ALEX VAN OPSTAL

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