CITY OF WATERFORD - Cornwall & Devon

The City of Waterford, lying at 28 metres, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to off the Devon coast. She’s a decent sized steamship, sunk in a fog collision back in '75, and now she’s become a proper habitat. What we love about her is how intact parts of her remain, especially the stern. You can still make out the superstructure, and the propeller is usually a good spot for conger eels – some truly massive ones hide in there. We usually drop onto the midships and then work our way towards the stern. The holds are pretty open, inviting exploration, but always be mindful of silt and make sure you’re properly weighted. Inside, you’ll often find plumose anemones carpeting the bulkheads, and dead man’s fingers cling to anything solid. Visibility here can swing wildly, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering down, the way light plays through the broken deck plates is something else. It’s a site that rewards multiple dives, each one revealing a bit more of her story.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.675877, -0.111551
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m

Marine Protected Area: Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

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 CITY OF WATERFORD

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 CITY OF WATERFORD

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