DENISE - Cornwall & Devon

The Denise, near Mullion, is one of those wrecks that really grows on you. It’s a steamship, sunk in 1917, and it sits in a very forgiving 11 metres of water, making it accessible for most divers. We love that you can really take your time here. The wreck itself is quite broken up, but you can still make out the bow and stern sections, and the boiler is a prominent feature that always draws us in. What makes the Denise special, for us, is the sheer volume of life that has moved in. Spend a few minutes motionless near the boiler and the wrasse will come right up to your mask, curious and bold. We’ve seen conger eels poking out of every nook and cranny, and the deck plates are often carpeted with jewel anemones, shimmering with colour even on a greyer day. It's a fantastic site for photography, especially macro, with so many textures and patterns to capture. Our favourite time to dive it is on a slack tide, when the water settles and the visibility can really open up, letting you appreciate the whole site. It’s a classic Cornwall wreck dive, a real character.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.008934, -5.264906
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Marine Protected Area: Lizard Point

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 DENISE

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 DENISE

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