CHORLEY

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

East of Start Point

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - CHORLEY offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 54m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.