CORAIL - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the *Corail* is a proper adventure, a deep dive into a solid wreck. This French fishing vessel, resting upright at 53 metres, became an artificial reef back in '91 after a leak sent her down. We love how intact she still is; you can make out the mast, the stern gantry, even parts of the wheelhouse if you peek inside. Descending onto her, you’re often greeted by schools of pouting, sometimes a few pollack darting from the holds, and the whole structure is draped in dead man's fingers and anemones. It’s a site for experienced deep divers, no question, but the rewards are there. The visibility can be surprisingly good on a calm day, letting you properly appreciate the scale of her. We always suggest getting there early, before any boat traffic kicks up the seabed. Keep an eye out for conger eels too; they’ve made a good home here over the years. This isn't a drift dive, it's a planned exploration, taking your time to absorb the atmosphere of a vessel reclaimed by the sea.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.609750, -2.455150
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 CORAIL

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 CORAIL

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