ARISTOS - Cornwall & Devon

The Aristos isn't one for a quick splash. She’s a deep dive, down at 56 metres, and absolutely worth the effort for those with the training. What we love about her is the sheer scale – 136 metres long, broken but still impressively intact in parts. Dropping onto her deck in the often-murky Cornish water, you get a real sense of her sudden end back in 1967. We always approach the bridge section first; it's heavily collapsed but still identifiable, often draped in fishing nets, home to some seriously big conger eels. Further aft, you’ll find the engine room, penetration here is for the highly experienced and requires meticulous planning. The holds are generally open, offering good swim-throughs where you might spot some hefty pollack darting between the frames. Our favourite detail is the stern, often standing a little prouder, where the propeller shaft is a great spot to look for squat lobsters and the occasional anglerfish tucked into a crevice. Visibility varies wildly here. We’ve had days where you can see a good 10-15 metres, and others where it's a true torch dive. It’s always dark, even on a sunny day. This is a cold water, technical dive, best suited for advanced trimix divers comfortable with long decompression. For those who can get there, it’s a proper piece of history on the seabed, now fully reclaimed by the ocean.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.580800, -0.087650
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
56m

Wreck History - ARISTOS

Year Sunk
1967
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
5,160 GRT

The Aristos was a Greek steamship built in 1939 by William Hamilton & Co. in Port Glasgow, Scotland. For nearly three decades, this resilient vessel served as a cargo carrier, transporting goods across European waters. By 1967, she was owned by the Argo (Hellas) Shipping Company and continued her workhorse duties in the post-war shipping boom.

On August 28, 1967, the Aristos was navigating the busy English Channel, en route from Piraeus, Greece, to Antwerp, Belgium, with a heavy cargo of ore. In the dense shipping lanes, tragedy struck when she collided with the German motor vessel Dortmund. The damage from the impact was catastrophic, and the Aristos quickly began to take on water and sink. While 22 of her crew were rescued from the cold channel waters, one life was tragically lost in the incident.

Today, the Aristos lies at a depth of 56 meters, approximately 25 miles off Start Point. This is a challenging technical dive, reserved for experienced trimix divers due to the depth and the potentially strong currents of the English Channel. The wreck is reported to be largely intact and sitting upright on the seabed, offering a formidable and atmospheric sight for those qualified to make the descent into the deep, dark water.

Marine Protected Area: Beachy Head West

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 ARISTOS

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 ARISTOS

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