MARY ROSE - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the *Mary Rose* isn't about deep exploration. This is shallow water history, perfect for a long bottom time, particularly if you're into something a bit different. What's left of the ship, which capsized in 1545 during a skirmish with the French, is scattered, not a proud intact hull. Think more archaeological site than full wreck penetration. We're talking timbers, cannon, and various artefacts, all now integrated into the seabed. Visibility can swing wildly here. Some days you'll have 10 metres, sunlight shafts illuminating the ancient oak. Other days, it's a silty few metres and you’re navigating by feel. It’s worth aiming for slack water, always. That’s when the silty seabed is least disturbed. Shoals of bib and pouting will drift through the gloom, and you’ll find plenty of crabs and lobsters tucked into the nooks and crannies of the scattered remains. It’s a gentle dive, suited to newer divers or those who prefer something less demanding, but still packed with historical intrigue.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.763065, -1.104450
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Marine Protected Area: Browndown

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 MARY ROSE

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 MARY ROSE

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