NOORDZEE - Cornwall & Devon

The Noordzee is a fantastic little wreck in Plymouth Sound, an easy shot from Mount Batten. We love it for a casual dive, especially if you’re looking for somewhere shallow and sheltered when the weather kicks up. Sunk in '79, this 34-metre trawler sits upright in about 7 metres of water, so your bottom time is generous. We often find the visibility here can be surprisingly good, especially on an incoming tide – sometimes you get 8-10 metres, which is a real treat for the UK. Dropping onto the wheelhouse, you can poke around the superstructure, which is now heavily encrusted with plumose anemones, their fluffy white tentacles swaying in the gentle surge. Head forward and you’ll spot conger eels tucked into any dark corner, their heads peering out. The hold is mostly collapsed, but you can still swim through sections of the main deck. Dogfish often rest on the sand nearby, and we’ve seen plenty of wrasse darting in and out of the metalwork. It's a perfect site for newer wreck divers or those wanting a relaxed hour underwater, offering a good sense of a ship without any deep penetration or strong currents. Our favourite part has to be the sheer density of anemones.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.350216, -4.131918
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Marine Protected Area: Plymouth Sound Shores and Cliffs

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 NOORDZEE

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 NOORDZEE

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