CHARLES MARTEL - Cornwall & Devon

The Charles Martel is a solid dive, though it’s not for the faint of heart. Sitting at 34m, it demands good planning and an eye on the clock, but the rewards are there. We love the sheer size of it, a proper sailing vessel that’s now just a skeletal outline on the seabed, completely encrusted. There’s a certain eeriness to drifting along its length, imagining the ship in its prime, now just home to a host of creatures. You’ll find plenty of inquisitive cuckoo wrasse darting in and out of the timbers, and the odd conger eel peeking from behind a plate. The bow section is our favourite, often blanketed in dead man’s fingers, swaying gently with the surge. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss in the South West, but on a good day, the light filtering down gives the wreck a moody, almost reverent feel. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents here can be a bit lively, making exploration tricky otherwise. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a challenge, a true example of how the sea reclaims its own.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.458797, -4.209494
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m

Marine Protected Area: Gower

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 CHARLES MARTEL

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 CHARLES MARTEL

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