BRIGHTON - Cornwall & Devon

The Brighton, oh, she’s a proper charmer for a shallow wreck. Sunk way back in 1887, this steamship met its end on Grande Braye Rock, and what’s left of her now sits in just 5 metres of water. We love a wreck you can really spend time exploring without racking up deco, and the Brighton delivers. You'll find scattered hull plates and ribs spread across the seabed, twisted into some fantastic shapes by over a century of storms. What really makes the Brighton a standout for us is the way the sea has reclaimed her. These metal remains have become a thriving artificial reef. Expect to spot spider crabs scuttling amongst the plates and dogfish resting in the shadows. Look carefully into the nooks and crannies for blennies peering out, and we’ve often seen small shoals of pollack darting through the clearer sections. It’s a gentle dive, brilliant for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants a relaxed bimble with plenty to see without deep dive concerns. Pick a calm day, and you can practically snorkel it, the visibility often decent enough to make out the bigger features from the surface.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.519833, -2.501333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Wreck History - BRIGHTON

Year Sunk
1887
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
grounding

The SS Brighton was a Victorian-era steamship, likely part of the London Brighton and South Coast Railway's fleet of cross-channel ferries that connected England to the Channel Islands. These vessels were the lifeblood of the islands, carrying passengers, mail, and essential cargo. On January 29, 1887, the Brighton's career came to an abrupt end during a voyage from Weymouth to Guernsey. In treacherous conditions, she struck the Grande Braye Rock and became hopelessly stranded.

Fortunately, a swift response ensured that all 23 passengers and the entire crew were saved before the sea claimed the ship. Today, the wreck of the Brighton lies in just 5 meters of water. Over 130 years of storms and tides have broken the vessel apart, but divers can still find boilers, sections of the hull, and other machinery scattered across the seabed. It's an atmospheric dive that connects you directly with the golden age of steam travel.

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 BRIGHTON

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 BRIGHTON

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