CHORLEY - Cornwall & Devon

The Chorley is one of those wrecks that really delivers a sense of scale. Lying deep at 54m, she’s a big steamship, over 100 metres long, and you feel every one of them as you descend onto the main deck. Built in 1901, then sunk in 1917, she’s been down there a long time, and the wreck is well broken but still very identifiable. We love exploring the bow section, it’s dramatic with plates peeling back like giant metal petals. Our favourite part, though, is midships around the twin boilers. They’re huge, standing proud of the seabed, absolutely smothered in plumose anemones – a truly vibrant pop of white and orange in the often muted light down there. You’ll find conger eels tucked into every dark crevice, and often lobsters peering out from under collapsed plating. This is a dive for experienced wreck heads, definitely. The depth means you’re on the clock, so good buoyancy and trim are essential to make the most of the limited bottom time. Pick a day with minimal current and good viz, if you can. It makes all the difference when you’re trying to take in the sheer size of the Chorley.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.317720, -3.053700
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
54m

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 CHORLEY

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 CHORLEY

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