KERRIS REED - Cornwall & Devon

Kerris Reed isn't about deep exploration. At a paltry 4 metres, max, this is a site for the patient observer, and we love it for its sheer accessibility. The fishing vessel met its end in 1968, grounding and breaking up, so don't expect an intact hull. Instead, you'll find a scatter of debris, engine parts, and twisted metalwork strewn across the seabed. What makes it special for us is the way the local marine life has utterly reclaimed it. You'll glide over plates of encrusting anemones, their tentacles waving gently in the surge. Look closely beneath the larger plates of wreckage for velvet swimming crabs, their eyes peeking out, or small pollack darting between the rusty frames. The light here, even on a cloudy day, filters down beautifully, illuminating the swaying kelp around the fragments. It’s a perfect site for snorkelers too, or divers wanting a really relaxed second dive, taking your time to spot critters in the shallows. The currents can be a factor, so we always suggest checking the tides for slack water, but even with a gentle push, you can spend a happy hour just drifting over the remains, spotting new life in every crack and crevice.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.988660, -5.101034
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Marine Protected Area: Coverack Cove & Dolor 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 KERRIS REED

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 KERRIS REED

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