NICHOLINE (PH172) - Cornwall & Devon

The Nicholine is one of those wrecks that really gets under your skin. We're talking a proper trawler, sitting upright and surprisingly intact at 53 metres. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer size of the nets still draped over her, giving the whole scene a ghostly, almost mournful feel. There’s a quietness down there, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a forgotten piece of history. We’ve had some fantastic dives here. The wheelhouse is still largely there, often with a cheeky conger eel peering out from a porthole, and you can swim through parts of the superstructure if you’re careful with your fin kicks. Look closely and you’ll find jewel anemones clinging to every surface, catching the beam of your torch like scattered glitter. It’s a serious dive, the depth means you need to be comfortable with decompression, but for experienced wreck enthusiasts, it’s absolutely worth the effort. Go on a calm day; visibility can be a bit of a lottery in the Channel, but when it’s good, the Nicholine shines.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.283913, -4.601091
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Gribbin Head - Polperro

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 NICHOLINE (PH172)

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 NICHOLINE (PH172)

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