CLAN STUART - Cornwall & Devon

The Clan Stuart, a big steamer lying in 60 metres, isn't a casual dive. We’re talking proper technical diving, the kind where you spend more time planning than in the water. But for those with the training, it's an incredible piece of history. She went down in a fog-bound collision in 1940, and time has essentially frozen her in place. Dropping down, the sheer scale of the wreck starts to emerge. Her bows are impressive, towering out of the gloom. We love navigating through the holds, which are surprisingly open, now home to dense carpets of jewel anemones in every shade of orange and pink. Look for conger eels tucked into the darker recesses, sometimes surprisingly large ones. It’s a silty site, so good buoyancy is key to avoid really messing up visibility for everyone. Best dived on a slack tide, obviously, but even then, currents can be a factor further offshore. We'd suggest aiming for early summer, before the plankton really thickens the water, for the best chance of decent visibility. It’s a deep, dark dive, but for wreck enthusiasts, it's one of Cornwall’s real highlights.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.060616, -3.267885
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Marine Protected Area: Skerries Bank and Surrounds

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 STUART

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 STUART

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