GRACE DIEU - Cornwall & Devon

The *Grace Dieu* is something else, not your typical wreck dive. We're talking about a medieval ship, sunk in 1439 after a lightning strike. What’s left isn't a towering superstructure, but a scattering of ballast stones, timbers, and, with a bit of digging (and the right permits), artefacts that surface from the mud. It's an archaeological dive more than a penetration one. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the Solent, but on a good day, the low light filtering through the green water makes the site incredibly atmospheric. We’ve spent hours here, meticulously fanning away sediment to reveal sections of hull, feeling the ancient wood under our fingertips. It’s a slow dive, for divers who appreciate history and aren't chasing pelagics. You won't find schools of barracuda, but we've seen plenty of crabs scuttling over the stones, conger eels peeking from beneath buried timbers, and occasional flatfish settled on the silty bottom. Our advice? Go with a knowledgeable guide who can point out the subtle signs of history, and be prepared for a dive that engages your mind as much as your buoyancy control. This site is for those who love uncovering secrets, for the underwater historians among us.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.892500, -1.288667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Hackett's Marsh

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 GRACE DIEU

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 GRACE DIEU

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