NO 194 AX - Cornwall & Devon

The NO 194 AX, just off the Cornish coast, is a proper chunk of history and one we always enjoy getting on. This isn't some broken-up mess; it’s a caisson vessel, essentially a giant concrete box, that went down in 1944 while under tow. You descend onto a vast, flat deck, a landscape of concrete now softened by encrusting sponges and anemones. We love how the sheer scale of it hits you – it’s 62 metres long, a truly impressive artificial reef. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, like much of the UK, but on a good day, the light filtering through the green water gives it a real atmospheric feel. Keep an eye out for the resident conger eels tucked into any available crevice, and we’ve often seen big ballan wrasse patrolling the edges. It’s not a site for poking through delicate structures, but rather for appreciating the sheer mass of the wreck and the life it now supports. We’d suggest this one for any diver who appreciates a solid, historical wreck that feels more like an underwater monument than a tangled wreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.263016, -3.352217
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Marine Protected Area: Blue Anchor to Lilstock Coast

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 NO 194 AX

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 NO 194 AX

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