ARIEL - Cornwall & Devon

The *Ariel* is a proper piece of history off the Cornish coast, a steamship that went down with a cargo of wheat back in 1892. She’s broken up now, scattered across the seabed at 28 metres, but her bones still hold plenty of interest. You’ll find two large boilers standing proud, a real focal point, and the triple-expansion engine is also quite clear. The wreck attracts plenty of local fish, conger eels often peek out from behind plates, and dogfish are common residents. It’s a good dive for those who appreciate exploring a larger, more spread-out wreck, rather than just poking into an intact hull.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.648850, -0.414867
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 ARIEL

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 ARIEL

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical diving depth at Ari Atoll dive sites in the Maldives?
The provided data context does not contain information regarding the typical diving depth at Ari Atoll dive sites in the Maldives. However, if you are interested in the ARIEL wreck in Cornwall & Devon, its typical diving depth is 28m.
What kind of marine life can scuba divers expect to see when diving in Ari Atoll?
Information about the marine life expected at Ari Atoll in the Maldives is not available in the provided context. The data focuses on the ARIEL wreck, a steam ship vessel located off Cornwall & Devon, which is classified as a dangerous wreck.
How challenging are the dive sites in Ari Atoll, and is it suitable for beginner scuba divers?
The provided information does not specify the challenge level or suitability for beginners at Ari Atoll dive sites in the Maldives. For the ARIEL wreck in Cornwall & Devon, the dive difficulty is rated as intermediate, suggesting it may not be suitable for absolute beginners.
What is the best time of year to go scuba diving in Ari Atoll for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
The provided context does not contain details regarding the best time of year to dive in Ari Atoll for optimal conditions or marine encounters. For general information on when to dive, you might explore DivePlnr's 'When to Dive' resources, but specific details for Ari Atoll are not available here.
What scuba diving certifications are recommended or required for diving in Ari Atoll, especially for advanced sites?
Information on recommended or required scuba diving certifications for Ari Atoll, including advanced sites, is not present in the provided data. The ARIEL wreck, an intermediate difficulty dive site, typically requires divers to have appropriate training for wreck diving and the specified depth of 28m.
What are the typical currents and visibility conditions like for scuba diving in Ari Atoll?
The provided data context does not offer details on typical currents or visibility conditions for scuba diving in Ari Atoll. The information pertains to the ARIEL wreck, a steam ship that sank in 1892 off Cornwall & Devon, but does not include environmental conditions.