HARTLEY (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Hartley, or what we believe is the Hartley, offers a proper deep wreck dive off the Devon coast. Dropping to 36m, you’re hitting the thermocline and often encountering a greenish gloom, but that's part of its charm. This steamship, sunk in 1924, is largely intact and sitting upright, a rare treat in these waters. We love the way the twin boilers loom out of the murk, massive cylinders encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. The triple expansion engine is a fantastic exploration, its components still recognisable, home to conger eels that peer from every nook and cranny. You’ll weave through cargo holds where schools of bib swarm, their silver scales catching the limited light. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop shaft stretches out, a clear sign of the ship’s purpose. It’s a dive for those comfortable with depth and reduced visibility, but the rewards are substantial: a true historical artefact colonised by some impressive marine life.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.398766, -1.810333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
36m

Marine Protected Area: Albert Field

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 HARTLEY (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 HARTLEY (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