GALICIA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Dawlish Warren

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - GALICIA offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 15m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Now this is a proper wreck, one of our favourites in the area. The Galicia went down in 1917, and for a ship of its size, 121 metres long, it’s remarkably intact at just 15 metres. You’re not just looking at scattered debris here. We love dropping down onto the huge boilers, they’re still upright and make a fantastic landmark. The bow section is particularly good, often shrouded in schooling bib and pollack, a real spectacle when the light catches them. You’ll want to allow plenty of time to explore the holds, which are surprisingly open. We’ve had some great dives poking around in there, finding conger eels peering out from cracks and plenty of crabs scuttling about. Conditions can be a bit challenging, this is the UK after all, so aim for slack water and a good tide for the best visibility. When it’s clear, you can really appreciate the scale of the Galicia, a genuine piece of history on the seabed. It’s a site for divers who appreciate big, explorable wrecks and aren't afraid of a bit of green water.