DALHOUSIE (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Dalhousie, or what we strongly suspect is the Dalhousie, is deep, proper deep, at 59 metres. This isn't one for a casual potter. We’re talking about a wooden sailing vessel, sunk way back in 1853, and it comes with all the dark, silty drama you'd expect from a wreck this old and this far down in British waters. When you drop onto her, the structure is still surprisingly coherent, given the years. Ribs rise from the seabed, draped in dead man's fingers and anemones, which glow under your torch. You can often make out the curve of the hull and sections of deck planking, all softened by time and encrusting life. This isn't a penetration wreck, but you can hover above the collapsed sections, imagining the chaos of that gale. Our favourite finds here are the conger eels, huge and bold, peeking from any dark crevice, and the sheer number of squat lobsters scuttling across the timbers. Visibility is often the defining factor, so we’d always suggest picking a day with slack tide and calm seas; it makes the descent so much more enjoyable, letting the ambient light filter down a little further. This site is for experienced technical divers who appreciate the history and the silent, cold embrace of a truly venerable shipwreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.582275, -0.088495
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

Marine Protected Area: Beachy Head West

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 DALHOUSIE (POSSIBLY)

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 DALHOUSIE (POSSIBLY)

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