NORMAND - Cornwall & Devon

The Normand is a dive for those who love their wrecks shallow and full of character. We’re talking about a steamship, sunk in 1914, lying in just three metres of water. It’s perfect for a long, relaxed dive, even for newer divers, though anyone who enjoys picking apart a wreck will love it. What we really enjoy here is how the wreck merges with the surrounding rocky seabed. The hull, though broken, still holds shape, creating plenty of nooks and crannies. You can spend ages poking around, finding spider crabs clinging to rusted plates and little blennies peeking out from beneath debris. On a sunny day, the light filters through the water beautifully, illuminating the dark outlines of the metalwork against the sand. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water to avoid any surge, which can kick up the sand a bit, especially when you’re right on the wreck itself. It’s a proper hands-on experience, a chance to really feel the history of a ship that ran aground in the fog.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.005600, -5.142696
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Coverack Cove & Dolor Point

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 NORMAND

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 NORMAND

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