DEL RIO - Cornwall & Devon

The Del Rio might be small, just a 7.9-metre fishing vessel sunk back in 1980, but it’s a proper little charmer. Sitting in a shallow 12 metres, it’s an absolute favourite of ours for a relaxed dive when the weather’s playing nice. You’ll often find it bathed in that classic green glow of the English Channel, and with a bit of sunlight filtering through, it really comes alive. We love how much life has adopted this little boat. Look closely, and you’ll spot colourful jewel anemones plastered all over the hull, nudibranchs slowly inching along, and if you’re lucky, a curious conger eel peeking out from under a plating. It’s also a brilliant spot for photography, especially with a wide-angle lens to capture the whole wreck and its resident critters. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water to really enjoy the details without battling any current. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, perfect for knocking out a couple of no-deco dives and just soaking in the atmosphere.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.740800, -0.343483
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 DEL RIO

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 DEL RIO

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