CAMPEN - Cornwall & Devon

Campen isn't your typical neat wreck, and that's exactly what we love about it. This East Indiaman, wrecked on the Needles, is a scattering of history across the seabed, rather than an intact hull. You won't be penetrating cabins here, but you will be sifting through what feels like an archaeological dig. The distributed remains mean you're constantly discovering, a piece of timber here, a copper fitting there. It’s the kind of dive where you need to slow down, really look, and let your imagination piece together the story. We’ve had some fantastic encounters with lobsters tucked into the debris and surprisingly large conger eels making homes in the larger sections of wreckage. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack water on a neap tide for the best chance of a clear view. It suits divers who appreciate history and enjoy the thrill of discovery more than the perfect wreck selfie. It’s a proper treasure hunt, just without the gold.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.662243, -1.591126
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - CAMPEN

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The Campen was a Dutch East Indiaman, a formidable vessel from the golden age of sail in the 17th century. These ships undertook epic, perilous voyages to the Far East, returning laden with spices, silks, and other exotic goods. Some historical records suggest the Campen may have been part of the hired Dutch fleet that fought alongside the Swedes against the Danes in the 1644 Battle of Fehmarn, giving this merchant vessel a storied military past.

Its final voyage, however, did not end in a blaze of cannon fire. Instead, the Campen met a more common fate for the sailing ships of its era. While navigating the treacherous waters of the English Channel, it ran aground on the infamous, chalk-stack rocks known as The Needles. Battered by relentless waves, the ship was broken apart and its cargo scattered across the seabed.

Resting at 0 meters, the site of the Campen is not a traditional wreck dive but a historical exploration in the shallows. Snorkelers and divers can explore the distributed remains scattered across the seafloor. Over the centuries, the wooden hull has disintegrated, but sharp-eyed explorers may still find cannons, anchors, ballast stones, and other artifacts, all heavily colonized by marine life, offering a tangible connection to the dramatic age of sail.

Marine Protected Area: The Needles

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 CAMPEN

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 CAMPEN

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