CAMPEADOR - Cornwall & Devon

The *Campeador* is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you, a proper deep dive that rewards the effort. Sunk way back in 1891, she’s a steamship lying upright at 42 metres, and the age really shows in the way the ocean has claimed her. You descend into that deep green, and she just materialises, a skeletal outline against the gloom. We love how intact the bow section is, still with a strong sense of her original form, and the stern is a fantastic jumble of machinery and plates. What makes her special, beyond the history, is the sheer volume of life that has moved in. There are conger eels tucked into every crevice, some absolutely enormous, their heads peering out with surprising curiosity. Anglerfish often settle on the deck plates, masters of camouflage, and if you’re patient and keep your eyes peeled, you’ll spot them. The *Campeador* is definitely for the experienced diver comfortable with deco, and we’d suggest good twinset skills for really making the most of the bottom time. The currents here can be tricky, so picking a slack tide is crucial for a relaxed exploration. It’s a proper dive, a deep delve into history and a teeming artificial reef.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.711636, -1.745015
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
42m

Wreck History - CAMPEADOR

Year Sunk
1891
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The SS Campeador was a Spanish-owned steamship that met its end in the English Channel in the late 19th century. In July 1891, the vessel was on a commercial passage, steaming from the sunny port of Valencia, Spain, towards Rouen, France. Laden with cargo, she was making steady progress on a well-traveled shipping route when disaster struck.

The exact cause of her sinking remains a mystery lost to time. With no records of a collision or storm, it's believed the Campeador simply foundered at sea, succumbing to a mechanical failure or a breach in the hull. She sank beneath the waves on July 26, 1891, coming to rest on the seabed off the coast of South West England, where she would lie undisturbed for decades.

Today, the Campeador offers a rewarding dive for experienced, tech-certified divers. Lying at a depth of 42 meters, the wreck is a classic example of a late Victorian steamship. Divers can explore the ship's remains, including its boilers and engine block, which stand proud of the seabed. The hull is largely broken, but the recognizable features provide a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of steam, while the structure itself has become a thriving habitat for local marine life.

Marine Protected Area: Les Ecrehous

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 CAMPEADOR

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 CAMPEADOR

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