GLORIOSA - Cornwall & Devon

Gloriosa is one of those deeper wrecks we always make time for when the conditions align. It’s a fishing vessel, sitting upright on the seabed at 32 metres, sunk by a German submarine in 1917. You really feel that history when you’re down there, exploring its skeletal remains. The stern is often the most intact section, with the propeller still usually visible, a real highlight. What we love about Gloriosa is how the wreck has become a home. Schools of pollock and bib often swirl around the superstructure, thick enough to momentarily obscure parts of the wreck. Look closely and you’ll find conger eels tucked into shadowy corners and plenty of jewel anemones adding splashes of colour. This site is definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with depth and sometimes brisk currents, but on a good visibility day, it’s a truly atmospheric dive, a quiet monument to a bygone era.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.431020, -4.653893
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
32m

Marine Protected Area: Limestone Coast of South West Wales / Arfordir Calchfaen de Orllewin Cymru

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 GLORIOSA

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 GLORIOSA

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