MALLARD (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Mallard, or at least what we’re pretty sure is the Mallard, is a proper technical dive, sitting deep at 48 metres. Dropping down, the visibility in this part of the Channel can be a lottery, but when it’s good, the structure slowly emerges from the gloom. She went down in 1940, a decent-sized motor vessel at nearly 50 metres long, and the years on the seabed have taken their toll, but the general shape is still there. We love exploring the engine room, which is often still surprisingly open, a real deep dive into maritime history. Look for the prop shaft running aft and the faint outlines of her deck machinery. The hull is well broken in places, creating nooks and crannies that are home to conger eels, and we’ve often spotted lobsters tucked into the plating. This is a dive for experienced technical divers, comfortable with decompression, who appreciate the silent, cold embrace of a historical wreck. It’s not about vibrant colours here, it’s about the atmosphere, the size of the structure, and the quiet dignity of a ship lost at sea. Plan for a decent bottom time to really appreciate the scale.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.389763, -2.346597
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: South Dorset

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 MALLARD (POSSIBLY)

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 MALLARD (POSSIBLY)

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