FORT YALE - Cornwall & Devon

Fort Yale isn’t just a wreck; it’s a sprawling piece of history, and we love how much there is to explore down there. This steamship, sunk twice – once by a mine, then finished off by a U-boat torpedo – really tells a story. At 133 metres long, there’s enough hull to keep you busy for a few dives. We often find ourselves just following the sheer scale of it, from the bow, sometimes standing proud, all the way along to the stern, which usually holds the most interest. What makes it for us is the way the wreck has become part of the seabed. Visibility can be a bit challenging, this is the English Channel after all, but on a good day, you get glimpses of giant plumose anemones clinging to the metal, and conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating. Our favourite part has to be looking for the bigger fish, the cod and pollack that patrol the deeper sections. It’s a dive for those who appreciate wrecks with a real narrative, best suited for experienced divers comfortable with deeper profiles and potentially strong currents. Bring your best torch, you’ll want to poke into every corner.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.382330, -0.958717
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
42m

Marine Protected Area: Offshore Overfalls

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 FORT YALE

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 FORT YALE

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