GRANDEST

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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) - GRANDEST 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 15m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Okay, so Gransden isn't the deepest dive you'll do, topping out at 15 metres, but it absolutely delivers on character. This steamship went down in 1921, and what’s left is a genuinely engaging exploration. We love how the wreck has settled, creating these interesting nooks and crannies where conger eels lurk, their heads peeking out from behind rusted plates. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying with the gentle surge, and then out in the open, schools of pollack often cruise by. Our favourite time to dive Gransden is on a slack tide, obviously, but specifically on a sunny afternoon. The light penetration at 15 metres can be beautiful, illuminating the rusted metalwork and making the colours of the anemones and sponges really pop. It’s a dive that suits anyone comfortable with a bit of overhead environment, as there are some swim-throughs, but nothing too tight or committing. Keep an eye out for dogfish resting in the sand just off the main structure; they blend in remarkably well. The sheer density of life that has claimed this wreck is what makes it a standout.