LAVERNOCK - Cornwall & Devon

The Lavernock is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. She was a steamship, sunk by a U-boat in 1918, and lying pretty upright at 31 metres. We love how intact she feels despite a century on the seabed – you can still make out the bow and stern, and the scale of her, 83 metres long, is impressive when you’re finning over the decks. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in British waters, but when it’s good, the light penetrates down and illuminates the structure. Our favourite part is heading into the engine room area; there’s a real sense of history there, and it’s always buzzing with life. You’ll weave past dense clouds of pollack, and the nooks and crannies of the plates are home to plenty of conger eels and squat lobsters. We’d suggest a decent torch to really appreciate the details, and maybe two dives to properly take it all in. This is definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with deeper wrecks and potentially swift currents. It’s a proper piece of maritime history down there.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.475550, -5.096047
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
31m

Marine Protected Area: Bedruthan Steps and Park Head

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 LAVERNOCK

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 LAVERNOCK

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