CHARLES MORGAN - Cornwall & Devon

The *Charles Morgan* off the Normandy coast is a fascinating dive, especially for those who appreciate a good historical narrative with their wreck. This isn't a deep dive, sitting at a maximum of 5m, so it’s perfect for extended bottom times and really soaking in the details. What we love about her is her size – at 134m, there's a lot of hull to explore, even if much of it is broken up. She went down in 1944, a victim of bombing, and you can sense that history in the twisted metal. You'll spend your dive weaving around substantial sections of hull plating, seeing how the structure has collapsed over the decades. Crabs lurk in the crevices, and we’ve often seen inquisitive pollack patrolling the larger open areas, darting in and out of the shadows cast by the wreckage. For us, the joy here is in the exploration, piecing together the story of a wartime freighter. It’s a site that suits divers who enjoy a shallower wreck with plenty of scope for discovery, rather than a focus on specific marine species. Visibility can vary, as with most English Channel dives, but on a good day, the light penetration at 5m makes the wreckage really pop.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.439200, -1.166500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

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 MORGAN

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 MORGAN

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