GILSEA - Cornwall & Devon

The GILSEA is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. She’s not huge, just a 13.4-meter fishing vessel, but she went down in 1993, so the sea has had plenty of time to work its magic. We’ve found her lying on her side at 30 meters, often with a slight tilt that gives her a dramatic silhouette against the greenish light. What we really love about the GILSEA is how accessible she feels for a deeper wreck. You can still make out the wheelhouse, and the trawl gear is often draped over the seabed around her, creating nooks and crannies for divers to peek into. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of plumose anemones waving from the superstructure, their tentacles filtering the water. We’ve also seen juvenile pollock darting through the openings and crabs scuttling amongst the debris. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss in the UK, but on a good day, the GILSEA stands out with a ghostly clarity, inviting you to spend a good chunk of your bottom time exploring her every angle. She’s a fantastic dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts looking for a manageable, characterful site.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.451534, -4.091944
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Marine Protected Area: Minchin Hole

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 GILSEA

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 GILSEA

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