BLUE BELL - Cornwall & Devon

The Blue Bell is a proper piece of history, just waiting for the right conditions. Sunk back in 1913, this steamship lies in quite shallow water, making it a bit of a trick. You need a calm day, and we mean properly calm, otherwise, surge is going to make it a bouncy ride. When the stars align though, it’s brilliant. We love dropping onto the Blue Bell because it feels like you're stepping into a time capsule. The wreck itself is quite broken up, but you can still make out the general shape of a steamship. What makes it though, is the sheer amount of life that has taken over. Expect to find schools of pollock circling the larger hull sections, and the cracks and crevices are packed with velvet crabs and blennies. The visibility here can be hit or miss, but on a good day, the light filters down beautifully, highlighting the rusty ironwork and the green anenomes clinging to every surface. It’s a photographer's dream if you’re patient and the surge isn't too bad. We'd suggest timing your dive for slack water, always. Otherwise, you’ll be fighting the current and missing all the smaller details. This one's for divers who appreciate history and the tenacity of marine life, rather than pristine coral.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.536290, -4.211162
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - BLUE BELL

Year Sunk
1913
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The steamship Blue Bell was lost on February 15, 1913. While the exact cause of her sinking is not widely documented, her final resting place is in the shallows off Cornwall & Devon. The wreck lies in just one meter of water and is officially classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck', likely due to its location in a high-traffic area or its state of decay, posing a hazard to navigation.

Given its extreme shallow depth, the Blue Bell is not a typical scuba dive. Instead, it's a site for intrepid snorkelers or free divers on a calm day. The wreck is heavily subject to surge and tidal forces, so extreme caution is advised. For those who can safely approach, the scattered remains offer a glimpse into the age of steam over a century ago.

Marine Protected Area: Gower

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 BLUE BELL

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 BLUE BELL

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