BELFORT - Cornwall & Devon

The BELFORT. What a story, right? Sunk way back in 1886, carrying iron ore from Bilbao, and now she’s a scattered, shallow secret off Selle Rock. At just two metres deep, this isn't about penetration or grand structures. It's about history you can touch, and frankly, a perfect spot for those days when you just want to potter about with a camera, or introduce someone to wreck diving without the faff of depth. We love finning slowly over the low-lying plates and frames. The iron is heavily concreted, of course, but you can still make out the distinct shapes of her hull. Schools of juvenile pollack often shimmer above the wreckage, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky spider crabs hunkering down amongst the larger pieces of twisted metal. Look closely, and you’ll spot nudibranchs, often the colourful sea lemon, grazing on the encrusting sponges. It’s a very gentle dive, often with surprisingly good visibility for the area, especially on a neap tide. Our tip? Go at slack water on a sunny day. The way the light plays on the scattered remains, illuminating the kelp and the inquisitive wrasse, is just magic.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.454000, -2.691333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - BELFORT

Year Sunk
1886
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

On August 30, 1886, the steamship Belfort was on a commercial voyage from Bilbao, Spain, to Dunkirk, France, likely laden with a heavy cargo. While navigating the treacherous waters off the Cornish coast, she struck Selle Rock and became hopelessly stranded. The powerful Atlantic swell quickly sealed her fate, and the ship was declared a total loss. Over the subsequent years, the sea has relentlessly pounded the wreck, breaking it into countless pieces.

At a mere 2 meters deep, the remains of the Belfort are now a widely scattered debris field. This is not a dive for those seeking an intact structure, but rather a snorkel or a very shallow exploration for history enthusiasts. Divers and snorkelers can spend time hunting among the rocks and kelp for signs of the vessel-a piece of hull plating, a twisted pipe, or other remnants of the 19th-century steamer. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of the sea and the dangers faced by mariners in the age of steam.

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 BELFORT

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 BELFORT

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