KING CHARLES II - Cornwall & Devon

The King Charles II is a proper wreck dive, sitting upright at 41 metres off Start Point. We love a ship with a story, and this trawler went down in 1970 after a serious leak in her stern tube, becoming a designated dangerous wreck. Dropping down, you’ll find her largely intact, a real testament to how quickly the sea reclaims things around here. What you'll experience is a substantial hulk; a dark shape emerging from the green-blue, usually with a good run of current making things interesting. The wheelhouse is still there, largely stripped but with the ghostly outline of where machinery once sat. We've spent time poking around the hold, which often shelters some surprisingly large conger eels, coiled up in the darker corners. Look closely at the deck plating and you’ll spot dead man’s fingers – soft corals – creating a sort of fuzzy carpet, alongside anemones and nudibranchs. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in these parts, but on a good day, the structure looms impressively. This one suits experienced divers comfortable with depth and currents, who appreciate a proper historical wreck over a reef. Dive this on slack water for the best chance to properly explore.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.500576, -2.909600
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
41m

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 KING CHARLES II

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 KING CHARLES II

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