COTTINGHAM - Cornwall & Devon

The *Cottingham* offers proper wreck diving, a taste of history lying deep off the coast. We love a wreck with a story, and this one, sunk by a submarine in 1915, certainly delivers. Dropping to 50 metres, it's a dive for experienced deep divers, demanding good gas management and a keen eye. Visibility here can be a bit of a gamble, but when it’s good, the wreck reveals itself beautifully. You’ll find the *Cottingham* largely intact, sitting upright with a slight list. The bridge area is our favourite, often swarming with pollack and bib, while conger eels peer out from the deeper sections of the hull. Exploring the holds, we’ve often disturbed clouds of fish, their scales catching the ambient light filtering through the gloom. It's a sombre, silent place, and you can almost feel the weight of its past. Be prepared for colder water and potential currents, but the reward is a truly engaging dive on a piece of maritime history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.000504, -5.001070
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: Bristol Channel Approaches / Dynesfeydd Mor Hafren

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 COTTINGHAM

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 COTTINGHAM

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