BADEN (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Baden, possibly, is one of those frustratingly brilliant sites that only the UK can deliver. At just 10 metres deep, it’s accessible to most divers, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's an easy dive. We love the mystery surrounding this wreck; the local consensus is it’s the Baden, a WWI German freighter torpedoed in 1917, but it’s never been definitively proven. That just adds to the adventure. What you find is a surprisingly intact wreck, spread across a relatively flat seabed. The bow and stern sections are still distinct, though the midships have collapsed. We’ve spent hours poking around the engine room, which is still quite recognisable, and the propeller shaft tunnel. Light filters through gaps, illuminating schools of pollack darting amongst the twisted metal. Conger eels are a regular sight, often peeking out from beneath plates of steel, and the anemones that have colonised every surface add splashes of colour to the monochrome wreckage. Our favourite time to dive it is on a slack tide, when the visibility is at its best, often reaching 10-15 metres – decent for these parts. It’s a proper wreck dive, full of history and atmosphere, and a great site for divers who appreciate a bit of detective work with their diving.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.725857, -1.008409
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - BADEN (POSSIBLY)

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

Shrouded in mystery, the wreck known only as the 'Baden' lies in the diver-rich waters off the coast of Cornwall and Devon. Its true identity and the story of how it sank have been lost to time, leaving only a scattered debris field for modern explorers to investigate. The wreck rests at an accessible depth of 10 metres, making it an easy dive for those looking to explore a piece of anonymous maritime history.

Despite its shallow location, the site is designated as a dangerous wreck. This classification serves as a warning to divers that the structure is likely collapsed, unstable, and may present hazards such as sharp, rusting metal and potential entanglement points. A dive on the Baden is a cautious exploration of a forgotten vessel, offering a glimpse into the past for those willing to navigate its skeletal remains.

Marine Protected Area: Sinah Common

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 BADEN (POSSIBLY)

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 BADEN (POSSIBLY)

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