DUDLEY ROSE - Cornwall & Devon

We love the Dudley Rose for its sheer scale and the way it’s settled on the seabed. This isn’t a pick for a quick dip; at 35 metres, it's a dive for those comfortable with depth and a bit of current. Built in 1929, this steamship went down in 1941, and now she lies upright, largely intact. You'll drop down onto the deck, often finding a gentle drift along her length. Our favourite part is exploring the stern, where the triple expansion engine and two massive boilers are still prominent. The sheer size of the machinery is humbling. Inside the holds, you can often spot conger eels poking their heads out, and the plating is absolutely smothered in jewel anemones, glowing orange and pink under your torch. It’s a proper wreck dive, offering plenty to penetrate if you’ve got the training, or just to explore from the outside. Visibility can be decent here, especially after a spell of settled weather, but always check the local conditions – it can be a dark dive otherwise.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.394535, -3.440500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m

Marine Protected Area: Berry Head to Sharkham 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 DUDLEY ROSE

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 DUDLEY ROSE

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