BUCHANNESS

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) - BUCHANNESS 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 5m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Buchanness, what a cracking dive if you catch it right. This isn't a deep plunge, topping out at 5 metres, which makes it perfect for longer bottom times and really soaking in the details. We love the way she’s sprawled out, a steamship that went down in 1924 after losing her propeller shaft nut – imagine that, just drifting helplessly across the Channel. She’s broken up now, but the remains are substantial enough to give you a real sense of her scale. You’ll be finning over boilers and engine parts, a jumble of twisted metal that's become home to a surprising amount of life. Look closely in the nooks and crannies; you’ll often spot crabs scuttling and inquisitive blennies peering out. Our favourite is exploring the big, barnacle-encrusted plates, almost feeling the chill of the steel through your gloves. It's a fantastic site for newer wreck divers or those who just want a relaxed potter, exploring history that’s easily accessible. Just make sure to hit it on a calm day with good visibility, as strong tides can make it a bit silty.

Typical BUCHANNESS 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.

Today06:2417:2911h 4m daylightGolden hour 16:45

BUCHANNESS Wreck History

Year Sunk

1924

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

The end for the steamship Buchanness was not a dramatic storm or wartime attack, but a simple, catastrophic mechanical failure. On April 12, 1924, while steaming from Dunkirk to Barry, the ship lost its propeller shaft nut while off Start Point in the English Channel. This seemingly minor event rendered the vessel completely helpless, leaving it without propulsion and at the mercy of the winds and tides. The powerless ship drifted across the busy shipping lanes until it ultimately met its end, running aground north of Burhou in the Channel Islands.

Resting in just 5 meters of water, the Buchanness is an incredibly accessible wreck, perfect for novice divers, trainees, and even snorkelers on a calm day. Due to its shallow depth and decades of exposure to the Channel's powerful currents and storms, the wreck is extensively broken up. Divers won't find an intact ship, but rather a fascinating debris field of boilers, hull plates, and machinery scattered across the seabed. This wreckage provides a fantastic habitat for the local marine life, including crabs, lobsters, and various species of fish that thrive in the sunlit shallow waters.