HOONESS - Cornwall & Devon

Hooness is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. She went down in heavy seas in '74, a motor vessel of 33.5 meters, now sitting upright at 48 meters. The depth puts her firmly in technical territory, but the reward is a remarkably intact wreck. We’ve found the stern deckhouse to be a particular highlight, often swarming with pollack. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters, even at this depth, catching the kelp that dances above the main deck. Penetrating the cargo holds offers a real sense of her working life, and we’ve spotted conger eels tucked into the darker corners, their heads peeking out. This isn’t a colourful reef dive; it’s a dive into history, a quiet, contemplative experience that suits divers comfortable with colder water and the challenges of deeper decompression. We’d suggest keeping an eye on the current here; it can pick up, making the descent and ascent a bit more of a workout.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.109000, -0.626500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 HOONESS

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 HOONESS

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