NORTHERN KIWI - Cornwall & Devon

The Northern Kiwi. A small fibreglass bass liner, barely six metres long, sitting upright at 50m. We love this wreck for its simplicity and the challenge it presents. It’s not about grand scale or intricate penetration here. It’s about the dive itself, the journey to a little piece of history in the deep. You’ll descend into the blue, the water often feeling colder than the air above, until the familiar shape emerges. It’s a GRP hull, so it hasn't really broken down much, a testament to its construction. We’ve found conger eels tucked into the smallest nooks, surprisingly large for such a compact wreck. Look for the engine, still there, a silent heart. The prop that snagged the pot line is long gone, but you can picture the transom pulling under. Visibility can be decent down here, letting you appreciate the wreck’s entire profile against the dark sand. Our favourite time to dive it is on a slack tide, obviously, but we’d also suggest going on a sunny day – the light filters beautifully, even at 50m, making the descent feel a little less like a plunge into the void. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet solitude of deep wrecks and the stories they tell.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.030000, -5.048333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: The Manacles

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 NORTHERN KIWI

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 NORTHERN KIWI

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