CANDIA - Cornwall & Devon

The *Candia* sits deep, a proper expedition dive at 52 metres, and we love it for its sheer scale. This isn't a site for a quick dip; you'll want solid training and gas planning for a wreck of this size. Built in 1896, she was a P&O liner, torpedoed in 1917, and her massive structure, all 137 metres of her, is surprisingly intact for a century on the seabed. Dropping down, the gloom gives way to the immense hull, twin boilers still prominent amidships. We always find ourselves drawn to the stern, imagining the twin shafts and props, though often they're swallowed by the silty bottom. This is a wreck where you can really feel the history, the sheer guts of a steamship caught in wartime. Look out for conger eels peering from every dark hole, and often we’ve seen ling hanging lazily around the deeper sections. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as is typical for the UK, but on a good day, the scale of the *Candia* is truly humbling. We'd suggest aiming for slack water, always, as currents can pick up here and make for a challenging dive. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the silent grandeur of a deep, historical ship.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.572250, -0.512950
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
52m

Wreck History - CANDIA

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
6,561 GRT

The SS Candia was a proud passenger and cargo liner built in 1896 for the legendary P&O Steam Navigation Company. For two decades, she plied the vital trade routes between Great Britain and the Far East, a symbol of the golden age of steam travel. With the outbreak of World War I, the Candia, like many civilian vessels, continued its service under the constant threat of enemy attack in the dangerous waters of the Atlantic.

Her luck ran out on July 27, 1917. While on passage, she was spotted by the German submarine UC-51. Without warning, a torpedo struck the liner, sealing its fate. The Candia sank, becoming another victim of Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare campaign which aimed to cripple the Allied supply lines.

Today, the Candia rests in 52 meters of water off the coast of Cornwall, making it a challenging dive reserved for experienced technical and decompression divers. Those who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a classic turn-of-the-century liner. The wreck is largely upright and intact, with key features like her impressive twin triple-expansion engines and large boilers still identifiable. It's a hauntingly beautiful dive that offers a direct connection to a pivotal moment in maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: Offshore Overfalls

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 CANDIA

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 CANDIA

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