LAPWING (POSSIBLY) OR SOUTH WESTERN - Cornwall & Devon

Now, if you like a proper bit of history with your dive, the Lapwing is for you. We’ve done this one a few times, and it always delivers that classic wreck dive feel. Dropping down to 35 metres, you hit the bow first, and the iron plates just loom out of the gloom. It’s a good size wreck, 64 metres long, so there’s plenty to explore. We love nosing around the engine room, where the single boiler is still pretty intact. You can picture the steam rising, the old compound expansion engine chugging away back in 1872. Everywhere you look, the ironwork is encrusted with dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones, creating these unexpected splashes of orange and pink. Look closely, and you’ll spot conger eels in the darker recesses and pollack darting through the superstructure. Visibility can be a bit variable, mind, but when it’s good, the sheer scale of the wreck really hits you. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration and a keen eye for both history and the marine life that now calls this old steamer home.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.522050, -1.534480
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m

Marine Protected Area: Tennyson

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 LAPWING (POSSIBLY) OR SOUTH WESTERN

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 LAPWING (POSSIBLY) OR SOUTH WESTERN

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