APOTEK - Cornwall & Devon

Forget your deep, dark wrecks for a minute. The Apotek is something else entirely – a delightful little ketch, sun-dappled and sitting in a mere two metres of water near Bolt Tail. We absolutely love this site for its sheer accessibility and the way it brings a proper wreck experience to even the newest diver. Sunk in 1981, the 11-metre hull is now a skeleton of its former self, draped in kelp and alive with small crabs scuttling over the timbers. You can easily swim the length of it, poking your head into the ghostly cabin where the light filters through the gaps. It’s our favourite place to take a camera and practice macro shots; the anemones here are particularly photogenic. Look closely, and you’ll spot blennies peeking from crevices, and the occasional dogfish tucked away. The best time to visit is on a calm, sunny day at high tide, when the visibility often opens right up, making the whole site glow. It’s not about depth or danger here, it’s about slow exploration and the simple joy of an accessible wreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.233930, -3.626187
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - APOTEK

Year Sunk
1981
Vessel Type
yacht
Cause
grounding

The Apotek was a small, 11-metre sailing ketch that met a tragic end on the rugged coast of Cornwall in June 1981. The vessel struck rocks near the famous Porthcurno beach, a coastline known for its beauty and its unforgiving nature. While the crew were safely rescued, the yacht itself could not be saved. Deemed a hazard to navigation in such a shallow and popular area, the wreck was later dispersed with explosives, scattering its remains across the seabed.

Diving the Apotek today is less about exploring a complete vessel and more about a shallow-water treasure hunt. Lying at just 2 metres, the site is perfect for a snorkel or a leisurely shore dive on a calm day. Divers can scour the rocky gullies and kelp beds for remnants of the ketch-pieces of timber, metal fittings, and other debris that tell the story of its final moments. It's a unique opportunity to connect with a piece of local maritime history in the crystal-clear waters of the Cornish coast.

Marine Protected Area: Skerries Bank and Surrounds

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 APOTEK

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 APOTEK

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