DR RUDOLF WAHRENDORFF - Cornwall & Devon

The DR RUDOLF WAHRENDORFF is one of our favourite trawler wrecks in the area, a proper piece of history lying at 25 metres. We love the story behind her – a Finnish trawler taken by the Germans, armed, renamed, and then sunk by air attack in 1944. It’s got that palpable wartime feel, a real connection to the past. When you drop down, the visibility in this part of the Channel can be hit or miss, but on a good day, it’s a brilliant dive. We’ve had dives where the light filters through, illuminating the structure, and others where it's a moodier, torch-on affair – both have their charm here. What makes her special are the penetration opportunities; she’s well broken, but the engine room is still accessible for suitably qualified divers, and that's a highlight. Expect to find conger eels lurking in the deeper recesses, their heads poking out from pipes and crevices, sometimes a bit grumpy if you get too close. The deck area is draped in dead man's fingers and anemones, with shoals of bib darting in and out of the superstructure. It’s a site for divers who appreciate wrecks with a narrative, happy to navigate through confined spaces, and don’t mind a bit of a current if the tide is turning. We always recommend timing your dive for slack water to make the most of the penetration.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.456400, -2.517367
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

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 DR RUDOLF WAHRENDORFF

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 DR RUDOLF WAHRENDORFF

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