CASTLEREAGH - Cornwall & Devon

The Castlereagh, or what's left of her anyway, is a proper chunk of history lying off the Cornish coast. We love a good steamship wreck, and this one, originally the Perth Fisher, has definitely settled into her seabed home since 1925. Dropping down to 33 metres, you're not going to find a fully intact vessel, but that's part of the charm. The deck plating has collapsed, revealing the bones of the ship – a single boiler stands proud, a real focal point. It’s perfect for divers who enjoy poking around structural remains, rather than swimming through corridors. What you'll find here is a robust wreck, well-colonised by local life. Expect to see plump conger eels peeking out from every dark nook, their thick bodies wrapped around twisted metal. Dead man’s fingers add splashes of orange and white, swaying gently with the surge, and the occasional dogfish might glide past, indifferent to your presence. The visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes a clear 10 metres, other days a moody 3, so pick your day carefully, ideally after a few days of settled weather. We'd suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents can pick up, making it a bit of a tug-of-war if you get it wrong.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.580750, -1.936233
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Marine Protected Area: Studland Cliffs

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 CASTLEREAGH

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 CASTLEREAGH

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