DUCHESS OF CORNWALL - Cornwall & Devon

The Duchess of Cornwall is a proper deep dive, sitting upright in 55m and surprisingly intact for a ship torpedoed in 1917. We love how the bow points north, still relatively proud, though the stern is more broken up, a result of the explosion and over a century on the seabed. There's a lot to see here, from the massive triple-expansion engine, now a home for conger eels, to the cargo holds where you’ll find squat lobsters tucked into every crevice. We'd suggest checking out the propeller, which is often swarming with pollack. Visibility can be hit or miss, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates the gloom, the sheer scale of the wreck is impressive. It’s a serious dive for experienced technical divers; the depth means careful planning and execution are essential. The reward, though, is a haunting trip back in time, exploring a piece of maritime history that few ever get to witness.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.745567, -1.723833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
55m

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 DUCHESS OF CORNWALL

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 DUCHESS OF CORNWALL

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