DEFENDER - Cornwall & Devon

The DEFENDER is a proper old trawler wreck, lying upright and mostly intact on the seabed. We love how the wheelhouse still stands proud, offering some fantastic penetration opportunities for those with the right training and gear – just be mindful of the silty bottom inside. Outside, the hull is just draped in plumose anemones, especially in the darker recesses, and we’ve often found conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating. It’s a site that really rewards a slow poke around, rather than a quick swim-through. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into the sand nearby, and sometimes a curious grey seal will pop in to say hello. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, as with most UK wreck diving, but on a good day, the DEFENDER feels properly atmospheric. We’d suggest diving it on a neap tide for the most comfortable experience.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.243370, -3.771451
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Salcombe to Kingsbridge

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 DEFENDER

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 DEFENDER

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