CHARLWOOD - Cornwall & Devon

The Charlwood, a grand sailing vessel lost to a collision in 1891, lies upright at 58 metres, making her a serious but incredibly rewarding dive for technical divers. We love the way she’s mostly intact, the bow pointing into the current, giving you a real sense of her scale as you descend through the gloom. You’ll often find decent visibility here, maybe 10-15 metres on a good day, allowing her masts and rigging to ghost into view, draped in dead man's fingers and anemones. Our favourite part is the sterncastle; it’s collapsed a bit, but you can still peek into where the cabins once were, now home to ling and conger eels. Keep an eye out for dogfish resting on the deck plates too. We’d suggest getting there early to avoid any boat traffic, and always check the tides – slack water is essential for a dive this deep. It’s a proper expedition, but the Charlwood offers a humbling, beautiful glimpse into maritime history, best suited for experienced trimix divers comfortable with long deco obligations.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.191013, -4.369405
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
58m

Marine Protected Area: Whitsand and Looe Bay

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 CHARLWOOD

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 CHARLWOOD

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