BROADMAYNE (PART OF) - Cornwall & Devon

The Broadmayne is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to, especially if we’ve got newer divers on the boat. At just 8 metres deep, it’s remarkably accessible, sitting comfortably in recreational limits. You’ll find the remains pretty well spread out, but there’s enough structure to make it interesting. We love tracing the run of the hull plates, now largely colonised by plumose anemones that sway gently in the surge, looking like frosted trees in winter. Keep an eye out for the two massive boilers; they’re a real focal point and usually where you’ll find plenty of inquisitive ballan wrasse darting in and out. The triple-expansion engine is pretty broken up, but you can still make out its impressive scale. Our favourite tip for this site: head down on a sunny day with good visibility, preferably around slack water. When the light catches the anemones and the kelp fronds, it’s genuinely beautiful, and the calmer conditions make it a doddle to explore without fighting a current. It’s a great introduction to wreck diving in the UK, especially for those getting comfortable with a bit of ambient light penetration.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.333920, -3.554531
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Wreck History - BROADMAYNE (PART OF)

Year Sunk
1921
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
grounding

The remains of the Broadmayne tell a story from the dawn of the age of oil. Built in 1888 as the SS Oka by the renowned Palmers & Co. shipyard in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, she served for decades before being acquired by Associated Oil Tankers Ltd. Her career ended abruptly on January 2, 1921, when she was lost off the Devon coast. The exact circumstances are unclear, but it is likely she ran aground in heavy weather, causing the vessel to break apart.

Lying in just 8 meters of water, the scattered remains of the Broadmayne offer an excellent and accessible dive for all levels, including beginners. As the site name suggests, this is not an intact wreck, but rather a field of wreckage to explore. Divers can easily investigate the ship's two boilers and parts of her triple-expansion engine. Its shallow depth ensures long bottom times and great light, allowing plenty of opportunity to search the debris for artifacts and admire the marine life that has colonized this piece of industrial history.

Marine Protected Area: Berry Head to Sharkham Point

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 BROADMAYNE (PART OF)

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 BROADMAYNE (PART OF)

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