GEORGE LOCKETT

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Hele, Samson's and Combe Martin Bays

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) - GEORGE LOCKETT 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 20m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The George Lockett, found just off the Cornish coast, is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. She was a steamship, sunk way back in 1892, and despite the years, her character is still very much intact at 20 metres. We love how much of her structure remains; you can still trace the lines of her bow and stern, and the engine room is a fantastic rummage for suitably experienced divers. This isn't a deep dive, but it's often a dark one. Visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss, but when it clears, the wreck itself becomes a dark silhouette against the murk, then details emerge – the plates, the ribs, the scattered cargo. Conger eels are always a good bet here, tucked into crevices, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large lobsters too. The true joy is feeling the history of the place, swimming over decks where sailors once walked, now covered in plumose anemones and dead man’s fingers. For divers who appreciate an atmospheric wreck, heavy with history, the George Lockett is a solid choice. Just pick a calm day, and don't forget a good torch.