CAPITAINE COOK - Cornwall & Devon

The *Capitaine Cook* is one of those wrecks that just delivers. We dive a lot of wrecks, and this fishing vessel, sitting upright in 27 metres, has a real presence. She went down in 1978 after a collision and still looks like a working boat, just… resting. You can poke around the superstructure, peer into the holds, and imagine the crew’s last moments on deck. The real magic here, though, is the life that’s claimed her. Conger eels are a given, often just peeking out from a pipe or under a deck plate, thick as your arm. We’ve had fantastic encounters with spider crabs clambering over the bow, and the jewel anemones paint the metalwork in brilliant oranges and purples, a stark contrast to the often-grey Atlantic. Visibility can swing dramatically, but on a good day, when the sun filters down, the atmosphere is simply incredible. Our pick for an early morning dive, before the currents really pick up.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.557810, -0.835073
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Wreck History - CAPITAINE COOK

Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The "Capitaine Cook" is a fishing vessel that found its final resting place in the busy waters of the English Channel, somewhere between the storied coasts of Cornwall and Devon. The specific details of its sinking have faded over time, but its remains now serve as a permanent feature of the seabed, attracting both marine life and curious divers.

Lying at a depth of 27 meters, this wreck is an ideal dive for advanced recreational divers. As a typical fishing trawler, its structure offers interesting features to explore, such as the wheelhouse, winches, and open deck spaces. Over the years, it has become a haven for marine life, with schools of bib, pollack, and conger eels making their homes within the decaying steel. The classification as a 'dangerous wreck' warrants caution, as nets and sharp, collapsing structures can pose hazards, but for the prepared diver, it's a fantastic window into the rich maritime ecosystem of the UK's south coast.

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 CAPITAINE COOK

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 CAPITAINE COOK

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