COQUETDALE - Cornwall & Devon

The Coquetdale is a serious piece of history, resting upright on the seabed at 35 metres. For us, it’s one of the most poignant dives off the Lizard, a stark reminder of the war’s reach right here on our coast. You’ll drop down onto a steamship, sunk in 1940 by German aircraft, and the sheer scale of it hits you. The bow points west, still largely intact, and we love drifting along the deck, imagining what life was like aboard. Her cargo holds are open, offering some fantastic penetration for those with the right training and gear – just watch your buoyancy, the silt can be surprisingly thick. Our favourite spot is usually around the stern, where the prop shaft is still visible, often draped in dead man’s fingers and home to some rather grumpy conger eels. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light filtering down onto the old structure is quite something. We’d suggest diving this on a slack tide, the currents here can be a bit frisky otherwise, and you want time to properly absorb the atmosphere. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, no doubt about it.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.517258, -1.809710
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m

Marine Protected Area: Albert Field

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 COQUETDALE

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 COQUETDALE

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