CLIBURN - Cornwall & Devon

The Cliburn, a steamer sunk by UB-18 in 1916, sits deep at 51 metres off St Catherine's Point. This isn’t a dive for the casual enthusiast, but for experienced wreck heads, she offers a proper challenge and a seriously rewarding exploration. The sheer depth means careful planning, deco, and ideally, trimix, but what awaits is a beautifully preserved piece of history. We love the Cliburn for her intact structure. You can still make out the bow pointing defiantly into the current, the cargo holds, and the stern section where the prop would have been. Schools of pollack often swirl around the superstructure, and we’ve seen some huge conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating. Visibility can be patchy, as with most deeper UK sites, but when it clears, the scale of the wreck is truly impressive. Our favourite time to dive her is late summer, after a long spell of settled weather, when the thermocline is higher and the surface conditions are calmer for the long boat ride out. It’s a serious undertaking, but for those with the training and ambition, the Cliburn delivers a genuine deep wreck experience.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.117332, -0.984833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
51m

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 CLIBURN

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 CLIBURN

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