CABANA (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Cabana. Just the name carries a whisper of the Channel's history. We love this wreck not just for what it is, but for the stories it tells, even when visibility is playing shy. Down at 24 metres, it's a proper wreck dive, scattered but still very much a ship. You'll find yourself finning over plates and ribs, the ghostly outline of a vessel that met its end, now home to a surprising amount of life. Often, we'll spend a good part of the dive just exploring the debris field, poking into nooks where conger eels invariably hide. The atmosphere here is what really sells it for us; it’s moody, proper British wreck diving. It's a dive that rewards patience and a good torch, revealing the intricacies of decay and the tenacious hold of nature. This isn't a dive for coral fanatics, obviously, but if you appreciate a historical site colonised by anemones, crabs, and the occasional curious seal, the Cabana is one of our favourites in these waters. Just be prepared for potential current; it’s the Channel after all.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.523056, -0.750000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Wreck History - CABANA (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
2,229 GRT

The SS Cabana was a British steamship that played a vital role in the merchant marine fleet during the height of World War I. Like many civilian vessels of the era, she was tasked with transporting essential supplies through hostile waters. In December 1917, while sailing from Barry, Wales, to Gibraltar with a cargo of coal, the Cabana's luck ran out. She was spotted and attacked by the German submarine U-66.

A single torpedo struck the Cabana, sealing her fate. She sank quickly, taking her valuable cargo to the seabed. Today, the wreck believed to be the Cabana lies at a depth of 24 meters off the coast of Cornwall. The years and the violent nature of her sinking have left the vessel broken and scattered, but she remains a fascinating dive. Divers can explore the ship's boilers, engine, and sections of the hull, which are now encrusted with marine life. The wreck serves as a poignant memorial to the merchant sailors who lost their lives during the Great War.

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 CABANA (POSSIBLY)

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 CABANA (POSSIBLY)

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