HIGHGATE (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Highgate is a proper old-school wreck dive, a steamship that went down in 1890, off the coast of Cornwall. At 48 metres, it’s certainly for the experienced among us, a proper technical challenge. We love the way she sits on the seabed, remarkably intact for her age, a true time capsule. The twin boilers are still prominent, standing proud from the main structure, and you can still trace the lines of her iron hull. There's a real sense of history dropping onto the Highgate. The visibility, when it’s good, lets you see a lot of her in one go, a dark shape emerging from the green. We’ve found conger eels tucked into the darker nooks and crannies, and dead man's fingers coral bloom across the metalwork, a soft orange against the rust. If you've got the skills and the gas, the Highgate offers a deep, rewarding dive into maritime history, a quiet, atmospheric exploration of a forgotten ship.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.476566, -4.938032
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: Castlemartin Coast

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 HIGHGATE (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 HIGHGATE (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