MOLESEY - Cornwall & Devon

We love a deep wreck, and Molesey is a proper dive for those who seek them out. This isn't a beginner’s splash; at 59 metres, you need to be comfortable with your decompression protocols and have a cool head. Dropping onto the deck of this steamship, torpedoed in 1917, feels like stepping back in time. The ship lies upright, and while the superstructure has suffered, you can still trace the lines of her cargo holds, imagining the passage she was making from Sfax to Hull. Our favourite part is the engine room, often penetrable for those with the right training and gear – just be mindful of silting. Light plays off the brass and copper that divers have polished over the decades, illuminating resident conger eels. We’ve seen lobsters tucked into every nook and cranny, and schools of pollock often swirl above the bow. Vis here can vary hugely with the tides; aim for slack water on a neap tide for the best chance of decent conditions, and be prepared for chilly temperatures even in summer. It’s a rewarding dive for technical divers who appreciate a piece of history and the unique life it now supports.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.500614, -0.268196
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 MOLESEY

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 MOLESEY

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