ISBJORN - Cornwall & Devon

The Isbjorn is one of those wrecks that just *feels* right. Lying at 52 metres, it’s a deep dive and often a dark one, so you'll want to be comfortable with your skills and your torchwork. We’ve always found the visibility here to be variable, sometimes a glorious 15 metres, other times a murky five, so be prepared for a proper exploration rather than a scenic fly-by. What we love about the Isbjorn is how intact it still is, considering it’s been down since 1944. The triple-expansion engine is a real highlight, a powerful reminder of its working life, and you can still make out the large cylinders. The bow and stern sections offer some fantastic swim-throughs, now draped in dead man's fingers and home to plump lobsters tucked into every crevice. Our favourite detail is the way conger eels have made the internal structures their own, their heads poking out from unexpected pipes and doorways. It's a deep dive, yes, but for experienced wreck enthusiasts, the Isbjorn rewards every metre of descent with a tangible sense of history and some seriously impressive residents.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.378582, -3.066567
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
52m

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 ISBJORN

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 ISBJORN

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