GERLEN (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Gerlen, sitting upright at 48 metres, is one of those wrecks that just keeps giving. We’ve spent hours poring over her, exploring the open holds where conger eels lurk, and weaving through the twisted superstructure that’s now a skeletal frame for plumose anemones. It’s a deep dive, no doubt, but the visibility here can be surprisingly good, making the details of the collision damage on her port side quite clear. What we really love about the Gerlen is the sheer volume of fish life – pollack drift through the holds, often alongside schooling bib. There’s a quiet satisfaction in tracing the remains of the deck, imagining the German motor vessel's final moments back in ’72. Our favourite approach is to drop onto the stern, work our way forward, then drift up the mast towards our deco. She’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, demanding good buoyancy and gas planning, but the rewards are immense. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a ling tucked away in the engine room.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.630750, -0.160700
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

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 GERLEN (POSSIBLY)

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 GERLEN (POSSIBLY)

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