NORFALK - Cornwall & Devon

The Norfalk is one of those wrecks that just has a story to tell, and it’s a good one. Sunk in 1944 as a blockship for the Normandy landings, this steamship never quite made it to its intended resting place, instead hitting a mine off the Cornish coast. What we love about her is the sheer scale – 124 metres long, she’s a proper behemoth resting upright in about 17 metres of water. Dropping down, the bow is often the first thing you see, looming out of the green, and you immediately feel the history of the place. We’d suggest finning along the deck, picking out the winches and cargo holds now colonised by dead man’s fingers and anemones. The Norfalk is a fantastic site for newer wreck divers who want to get a sense of a large vessel without deep penetration or strong currents. Look closely in the nooks and crannies; crabs are always scuttling about, and conger eels are often tucked into the darker spaces. Visibility can be a typical Cornish stew, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight, the sheer size of her is impressive, a real concrete ghost ship.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.479100, -1.064200
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

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 NORFALK

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 NORFALK

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