BUCHANNESS - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.732334, -2.256500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Wreck History - BUCHANNESS

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.

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 BUCHANNESS

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 BUCHANNESS

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