CANTABRIA - Cornwall & Devon

The Cantabria sits just off Bolt Tail, a relatively shallow wreck that we think offers a surprisingly engaging dive for its depth. Dropping onto her bow, you immediately feel the scale of the 80-metre steamer, even if she's broken up a fair bit since running aground in the fog back in '32. We love how the hull plates have twisted and warped, creating little caves and overhangs that are just begging to be explored. Visibility here can swing a bit, but on a good day, the light streaming through the gaps in the wreckage is quite something. Look closely among the twisted metal; you’ll often spot feathery Devonshire cup corals, little pockets of jewel anemones, and a surprising number of wrasse darting between the ribs. Our favourite tip for the Cantabria is to really take your time, poke into every nook. It's a proper rummage dive, and it’s ideal for newer wreck divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.215595, -3.817001
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - CANTABRIA

Year Sunk
1932
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The SS Cantabria was a Spanish steamship named after the historic maritime region of northern Spain. Measuring over 80 meters in length, she was a workhorse of the European cargo trade, regularly plying the route between industrial ports like Bilbao and Newcastle.

On December 13, 1932, her final voyage turned to disaster. While en route to Newcastle carrying a cargo of iron ore, the Cantabria sailed into a dense fog that shrouded the Cornish coast. Blinded by the poor visibility and navigating treacherous waters, the vessel ran hard aground. The relentless swell and unforgiving rocks sealed her fate, and the ship was declared a total loss.

Resting in just 10 meters of water, the remains of the Cantabria are now a fantastic and popular dive site, often accessible from the shore. Decades of exposure to the powerful surf have broken the wreck apart, scattering her boilers, hull plates, and machinery across the seabed. This wreckage has created a perfect habitat for local marine life, and divers can spend hours exploring the twisted metal, now home to crabs, lobsters, and colourful wrasse.

Marine Protected Area: Start Point to Plymouth Sound & Eddystone

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 CANTABRIA

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 CANTABRIA

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