reef

Log This Dive

Cribbar

Cribbar isn't for the faint of heart, or the fair-weather diver. We’re talking about a reef off Towan Headland in Newquay, Cornwall, known more to surfers for its monster wave than to divers for its underwater drama. But get beneath the surface on a calm day – and you need a calm day – and it's a raw, compelling experience. This isn't colourful coral, so adjust your expectations. Instead, imagine vast rock formations draped in thick crumb-of-bread sponges, a riot of orange and yellow. Nursehounds often shelter in the crevices, tucked away from the surge, and the occasional common cuttlefish glides past, changing colours right before your eyes. We’ve found Common lobsters tucked into rocky overhangs, their antennae waving gently in the current. If you time it right, often on the slack before or after high tide, the visibility can stretch to a respectable 10 metres, letting you appreciate the scale of this place. It’s a dive that reminds you of the sheer power of the Atlantic, a real taste of robust British diving.