MOOR SAND - Cornwall & Devon

Forget your usual idea of a wreck dive. Moor Sand isn't about giant ships and towering superstructures. What you’ll find here, scattered across the seabed in a shallow, sandy gouge, is truly ancient: a Bronze Age boat, or what’s left of it, with an incredible collection of weapons. We're talking swords, spearheads, daggers – a whole arsenal from a time before written history, lost for millennia until its discovery in the late 70s. It’s a different kind of dive, more archaeological than architectural, and definitely one for those who appreciate history as much as marine life. You’ll spend your time peering closely at the sand, imagining the lives of those who sailed this coast over 3,000 years ago. The site is shallow, just 4 meters, making for long bottom times and easy access, but do watch the tides. Even in such clear, calm conditions, the shifting sand can reveal or conceal parts of the assemblage. We love how the story of the site makes you feel connected to the past – it’s a tangible link to something profound. There's not much in the way of big fish, but the sand is home to crabs, flatfish, and often small baitfish hovering above the remnants, adding a touch of natural beauty to the historical wonder.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.212257, -3.740063
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Marine Protected Area: Salcombe to Kingsbridge Estuary

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 MOOR SAND

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 MOOR SAND

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