DAMBUSTER - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.515667, -2.484667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
21m

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 DAMBUSTER

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 DAMBUSTER

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