CLAN MACVEY - Cornwall & Devon

The Clan Macvey. Now here’s a wreck that really gets our attention off the Lizard. She's a WWI casualty, torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1918, a brand new ship on her maiden voyage too. Tragic really, but it makes for a cracking dive. At 18 metres, she’s accessible to most, though we’d suggest some solid experience with UK currents; they can be frisky out here. What we love about the Macvey is how much of her remains. She’s broken, of course, but the sheer scale of the hull is impressive. You’ll fin over huge plates, past ribs that reach up like skeletal fingers, and into cargo holds now colonised by dead man’s fingers and anemones. Look for the engine room, often bustling with conger eels – some of them absolute monsters. Visibility can vary, as it always does in these waters, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates the surface, the whole wreck glows with a ghostly light. It’s a proper historical dive, a poignant reminder of the war, and a fantastic habitat for local marine life. Our pick for a classic Cornish wreck dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.661260, -1.781392
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Marine Protected Area: Southbourne Rough

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 CLAN MACVEY

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 CLAN MACVEY

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