CAMARADE - Cornwall & Devon

The *Camarade* isn't a deep dive, which is precisely why we love it. Sunk in 1971, this old fishing vessel ran aground hard, and now it sits in just two metres of water, offering a completely different kind of wreck exploration. We’d describe it as an intertidal playground. You’ll spend your time here at eye-level with the surface, watching the light play through the kelp, illuminating the ribs of the boat. It’s an incredible spot for photographers, especially when the tide is high and the sun is out, dappling the exposed metalwork. We’ve seen blennies darting into every crevice, little rock gobies peeking out from under plates of rust, and even juvenile pollack weaving through the twisted frames. For us, it’s all about the texture and the life that clings to it. You’ll want to time your visit for slack high tide to get the best visibility and the calmest conditions – trying to fin against any swell in two metres of water is always a losing battle. The *Camarade* isn't about deep penetration or grand scale; it's about the small, intricate details and the sheer joy of a sunlit, shallow wreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.586500, -1.226333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - CAMARADE

Year Sunk
1971
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
grounding

The fishing vessel Camarade met its end on December 29, 1971, when it ran aground on the coast of Cornwall. At a depth of only 2 meters, this wreck is extremely accessible but has been heavily impacted by the relentless surge and tides. Its official classification as a 'Dangerous Wreck' serves as a warning to surface navigation, but for divers and snorkelers, it presents a shallow, explorable site. Expect to find scattered wreckage and remnants of the vessel's hull strewn across the seabed, now providing shelter for crabs, lobsters, and schools of small fish. On a calm, sunny day, it's an excellent site for novice divers or those simply wishing to explore the underwater landscape just off the shore.

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 CAMARADE

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 CAMARADE

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