KELVINIA - Cornwall & Devon

The *Kelvinia* is a proper dive, one that truly earns its 'standout' label. Dropping down onto a large steamship like this, a vessel that’s been on the seabed since 1916, always gives us a shiver. She’s big, over 100 meters long, and when you’re finning along her hull at 38 meters, you really get a sense of her scale. The stern is our favourite spot; the prop is often silhouetted against the slightly brighter surface, and that’s where the conger eels really like to set up shop. Visibility here can be a bit variable, typical for the Channel, but when it’s good, you can make out the full structure, including the three massive boilers. Exploring the various holds, now home to shoals of pouting and the occasional lobster, feels like stepping back in time. We’d suggest a good torch is essential, not just for peering into the darker sections, but also for bringing out the colours of the jewel anemones that carpet parts of the wreck. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and don't mind a deeper profile.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.558567, -4.712550
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
38m

Marine Protected Area: Limestone Coast of South West Wales / Arfordir Calchfaen de Orllewin Cymru

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 KELVINIA

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 KELVINIA

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