BELFORT

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BELFORT offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.

Typical BELFORT Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today06:2617:3111h 5m daylightGolden hour 16:47

BELFORT Wreck History

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.