GANNET

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

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) - GANNET 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

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

We love a good wreck, especially one that’s had a bit of time to settle, and the Gannet is a prime example of what Cornwall’s seabed does best. This steamship, which went ashore in a dense fog back in 1882, now feels like a natural part of the underwater landscape. It's not a deep dive, making it accessible for a broader range of experience levels, which is a big plus in our book. What you'll find here is a robust wreck that’s been thoroughly colonised. Expect to see sections of the hull, plates, and machinery, all draped in kelp and soft corals. Ling often lurk in the darker recesses, and sometimes you’ll spot a dogfish tucked into a gap. Visibility here can be a bit of a gamble, but on a good day, it’s a genuinely atmospheric dive, feeling like you've stepped back in time. Our favourite part? The way the light filters through the kelp on the shallower sections of the wreck, creating an eerie, green glow. It’s perfect for those who appreciate history and the slow reclamation of man-made structures by the ocean.