CAMARET - Cornwall & Devon

The Camaret sits close to shore, an accessible wreck that’s far more interesting than her small size suggests. She ran aground in 1989, tangled herself, and now lies broken on the seabed, her fishing vessel bones spread across the sand. We love the way the light filters through the kelp, illuminating sections of hull and the nooks where tommy ruffs and blennies hide. Exploring the Camaret feels like an archaeological dig; you can pick out engine parts, scattered deck gear, and even a discarded toilet bowl, all colonised by anemones and hydroids. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into the sand nearby, and the occasional curious seal zipping past. It’s a superb dive for newer wreck enthusiasts, or those looking for a relaxed second dive with plenty to poke around. Best dived at slack water to avoid any surge, and a decent torch really helps bring out the colours.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.517246, -2.451313
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - CAMARET

Year Sunk
1989
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
grounding

The loss of the fishing vessel Camaret in January 1989 was the result of a common but crippling maritime accident: a fouled propeller. After a rope became entangled in its propulsion system, the 12.5-meter boat was left helpless and drifted ashore, becoming a permanent feature of the coastline. Lying at a depth of 0 meters, the Camaret is an intertidal wreck, with parts of its hull and superstructure visible above the water at low tide. This makes it a fantastic point of interest for beachcombers, photographers, and snorkelers. For divers, it offers an easy shore dive to explore the skeletal remains of the vessel as they are slowly reclaimed by the sea and colonized by marine life in the shallow surf.

Marine Protected Area: South of Portland

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 CAMARET

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 CAMARET

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