FORTUNA - Cornwall & Devon

The Fortuna. Now, this is a wreck we always look forward to diving, a proper piece of history off the Cornish coast. She was a steamship, bound for Cardiff from Rotterdam, until a German mine ended her voyage in 1916. You’ll find her sitting upright, largely intact at 27 metres, which means decent bottom time if you're mindful of your deco. What we love about the Fortuna is the way she’s opened up over the decades. Her holds are accessible, and you can swim through various sections, getting a real sense of her scale. Sunlight filters down, creating these shifting patterns on the corroded metal, and it always feels a bit eerie, in a good way. Expect to see conger eels tucked into every crevice, sometimes surprisingly large ones, along with inquisitive pollack darting through the superstructure. If you’re lucky, you might spot a lobster or two clambering across the deck plates. It’s a site that really suits divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, offering a decent penetration experience without being overly challenging. Our tip? Go at slack water, it makes a huge difference to how much you can explore comfortably.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.694300, -0.038633
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Marine Protected Area: Beachy Head West

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 FORTUNA

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 FORTUNA

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