FELIX DE ABASOLO - Cornwall & Devon

Forget deep dives and big pelagics for a moment. The *Felix de Abasolo* is a different kind of wreck, and we absolutely love it for that. This isn't a site you descend onto, it's one you can almost touch from the surface, sitting in a mere two metres of water near Alderney. We're talking about a steamship, broken up by the relentless Channel, its steel plates and skeletal ribs now spread across the seabed. What you get here is a masterclass in how the sea reclaims things. Snorkelling or freediving, you’re drifting over a mosaic of rust and kelp, schools of pollack shimmering between the twisted metal. We often spot blennies peeking out of crevices, and the anemones are particularly colourful here, catching plankton in the gentle surge. It’s an intimate experience, feeling the history just below the surface, imagining that thick fog that sealed its fate back in 1910. Visibility can be a bit challenging after a good blow, but on a calm day, with the sun filtering through the shallows, it’s a surprisingly vivid snapshot of a wreck evolving into a living reef. It’s our pick for an easy, contemplative dive, a real gem for photographers or anyone who appreciates the quiet drama of a historical site.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.720318, -2.163633
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

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 FELIX DE ABASOLO

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 FELIX DE ABASOLO

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