EARL OF ABERGAVENNY - Cornwall & Devon

The Earl of Abergavenny is a personal favourite when the conditions align. This isn't one of those wrecks where you can expect to see the whole ship in one go; she's well broken up, scattered across the seabed at 17m. We love that feeling of discovery here, tracing the outline of what was once an East Indiaman. You'll spend your dive finding cannon, anchors, and huge sections of timber, often encrusted with dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones. It’s a site for those who enjoy piecing together history, where a torch beam picks out a copper spike in a beam, imagining the shipwrights who hammered it home. Keep an eye out for conger eels tucked into crevices, their heads poking out from beneath the larger sections of debris. Visibility can be a bit variable, so pick a calm day with a neap tide for the best experience; it makes a huge difference.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.602383, -2.409233
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Marine Protected Area: Chesil Beach and Stennis Ledges

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 EARL OF ABERGAVENNY

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 EARL OF ABERGAVENNY

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep is the Earl of Abergavenny wreck dive?
The Earl of Abergavenny wreck dive has a maximum depth of 17 meters. This relatively shallow depth makes it an accessible and enjoyable experience for many certified divers.
What can divers expect to see when exploring the Earl of Abergavenny wreck?
When exploring the Earl of Abergavenny, divers will discover the distributed remains of a historic East Indiaman sailing vessel. Built in 1789 and sunk in 1805, this wreck measures 49.5m x 12.5m and provides a unique opportunity to explore a piece of maritime history off the coast of Cornwall & Devon.
What is the difficulty level of diving the Earl of Abergavenny, considering currents and visibility?
The Earl of Abergavenny wreck dive is classified as having an intermediate difficulty level. This suggests that divers should possess a good understanding of wreck diving techniques and be comfortable with varying conditions often found in the Cornwall & Devon area.
When is the best time of year to dive the Earl of Abergavenny for optimal conditions?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive the Earl of Abergavenny for optimal conditions. For general guidance on seasonal diving in the United Kingdom and the Cornwall & Devon region, we recommend consulting our comprehensive When to Dive section on DivePlnr.
What scuba diving certifications are recommended or required to dive the Earl of Abergavenny?
As the Earl of Abergavenny is classified as an intermediate difficulty wreck dive, an Advanced Open Water Diver certification is generally recommended. For a more in-depth and safer exploration of the wreck, a specialized Wreck Diver certification would be highly beneficial.
What are the typical water conditions and currents like at the Earl of Abergavenny wreck site?
The provided data does not include specific information on the typical water conditions or currents at the Earl of Abergavenny wreck site. However, as an intermediate dive located in the Cornwall & Devon region of the United Kingdom, divers should anticipate potentially variable conditions and plan accordingly.