NOVICE - Cornwall & Devon

Okay, the Novice. We've spent a fair bit of time down on this one, and it's a solid dive, especially if you’re into your British wreck history. This isn't some pristine, intact vessel; she's broken, quite a lot of her collapsed, but that's part of her charm. The Novice was a harbour tug, heading from Brixham up towards the Isle of Man when she hit something submerged and went down in '73, just a mile and a half south of Start Point. Descending, you hit the bow first, often through a green, silty haze that then clears as you get closer to the deck. That’s when the features really start to show themselves. We love picking out the machinery, bits of engine, and the twisted metal plates that give a sense of her former working life. It's a deep dive, sitting at 51 metres, so definitely one for experienced divers with the right gas planning. The depth means the light is usually quite muted, adding to the atmosphere. Look for conger eels tucked into the darker recesses, and the usual suspects of bib and wrasse flitting around the exposed frames. It's a proper British wreck dive, a bit gnarly, a bit dark, but always rewarding for its history and the life that now calls it home.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.210262, -3.619271
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
51m

Marine Protected Area: Skerries Bank and Surrounds

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 NOVICE

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 NOVICE

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