OCEAN QUEEN - Cornwall & Devon

The Ocean Queen is a proper Cornish wreck, and we love her for her history and the way she’s blended into the seafloor. Sunk in 1906, she went hard aground on Kaines Rock, ripping open her hull. What you get now is a broken, scattered wreck, but that’s precisely her charm. We think she’s best dived on a calm day with good visibility, preferably around slack water if you want to explore the deeper sections without a fight. The stern lies in about 16-18 metres, and you can still make out the prop shaft. It’s a fantastic spot for lobsters and crabs, and we often find dogfish tucked into the nooks and crannies. The midships section is more broken, like a steel jumble sale, but it's brilliant for spotting wrasse darting between the plates and anemones clinging to every surface. Head towards the bow, and the wreck becomes more spread out, fading into the rocky seabed. It’s not a penetration dive, but rather an exploration of history and marine life. This site is great for divers who enjoy piecing together a story from scattered remains and those who appreciate the resident critters. The way the light filters through the kelp on a sunny day, illuminating the rusted metal, is one of our favourite sights in these waters.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.425110, -2.649667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 OCEAN QUEEN

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 OCEAN QUEEN

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