DAMBUSTER

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - DAMBUSTER offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 21m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Dambuster wreck, sitting at 21 metres, has a character all its own. We’ve always found it a bit eerie, in the best possible way. This isn't some intact museum piece; it's a crumpled, broken vessel, sunk back in '75, a real testament to the power of the sea. What strikes you first is the light, or rather the lack of it filtering through the often-murky Cornish water, which gives the whole dive a moody, atmospheric feel. We love picking through the twisted metal, imagining the chaos of its sinking. It’s not a huge wreck, so you get a good sense of the whole site in one dive, navigating through the various sections. Our favourite part is always the engine room, or what’s left of it. It’s an ideal spot for spotting conger eels, their heads poking out of pipes, watching you with that familiar wary glare. Look closely, and you’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices, and we’ve seen some decent lobsters here too. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the area, but on a good day, when the sun breaks through, the wreck feels alive with a green glow. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a challenge, definitely not for the faint-hearted or those who demand Caribbean clarity.