CAVALLO - Cornwall & Devon

The Cavallo is a proper deep dive, sitting at 53 metres, so this one's for the experienced technical divers among us. We love the solemn history of this steamship, torpedoed in 1918 by a German U-boat. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, often enveloped in a shroud of silty green light. The visibility here can be tricky, so pick your day carefully, ideally on a neap tide for less current. The wreck itself is largely intact, with the main deck housing a dense population of plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying like ghostly fingers in the deep. We’ve spotted conger eels tucked into the collapsed sections of the hull, and schools of pollock often mill about the superstructure. Exploring the engine room is a highlight, but be mindful of the silt and your buoyancy. This site truly gives you a tangible connection to maritime history. Come prepared for a serious dive; it’s cold, it’s dark, but the rewards are there for those who respect its depth and its past.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.600544, -5.167712
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Trevose Head

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 CAVALLO

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 CAVALLO

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