GAZELLE - Cornwall & Devon

The Gazelle, deep in the waters off Cornwall, is a cracking dive if you’ve got the technical chops. This isn't a beginner's jaunt, mind you. Dropping to 56 metres, the fishing vessel sits upright and largely intact, a real time capsule from 1917. We love how the hull is still discernable, offering proper penetration opportunities for those qualified and equipped. You can make out the stern, with the prop still there, and the bow section, often shrouded in a shoal of pout. Visibility can be a real lottery here. On a good day, it’s a dark, ethereal blue, with enough ambient light to pick out the silhouette of the wreck as you descend. Other days, it's a genuine torch dive from 30 metres down. Either way, the wreck is draped in a thick carpet of plumose anemones, white and frilly, especially around the wheelhouse area. Conger eels are always lurking in the deeper holds, and we've seen some serious monkfish camouflaged on the deck plates. Our favourite approach is to drop onto the stern, work our way forward, then spend our deco drifting over the top, watching the dogfish scuttling below. It’s a proper expedition, a serious dive, and hugely rewarding for those who make the effort. Just make sure your gas planning is spot on.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.191593, -4.834426
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
56m

Marine Protected Area: North West of Lundy

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 GAZELLE

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 GAZELLE

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