NECHES (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Neches, probably. That ‘probably’ in the name tells you a bit about diving in these waters. It’s deep, it’s dark, and sometimes the history is a little murky, but what a dive it is. Lying at 58 metres, this is one for the technical crew, and we love the sheer scale of it. You’re dropping onto a massive steamship, 121 metres long, sunk by a torpedo in 1918. The visibility can be surprisingly good on a calm day, and as you descend, the sheer bulk of the bow starts to materialise out of the gloom. Our favourite part is navigating through the broken superstructure, feeling the cold water swirl around you as you pass through doorways that once led to busy cabins. We often find conger eels peering from every dark corner, and the deck plating is absolutely smothered in jewel anemones, creating a vivid, unexpected splash of colour against the rust. It’s a proper expedition dive, a journey into history that demands respect and careful planning.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.185150, -3.652083
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
58m

Marine Protected Area: Skerries Bank and Surrounds

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 NECHES (PROBABLY)

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 NECHES (PROBABLY)

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