OIEKAST - Cornwall & Devon

The Oiekast is one of those deeper wrecks that really rewards the effort. Dropping down, the silence starts to feel heavier at 40 metres, and then the dark shape of the steamship emerges from the gloom. She’s remarkably intact for a vessel torpedoed in 1917, sitting upright at 54 metres. We love finning along her deck, imagining the chaos of that December day. The bow section is particularly good, often draped in dead man’s fingers, and we've spotted conger eels tucked into every dark crevice. Our favourite detail is the stern, where you can still make out the propeller shaft, now home to clouds of jewel anemones. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts comfortable with depth and colder water; the visibility can be variable, but on a good day, the Oiekast offers a real journey back in time, with the added bonus of some impressive Cornish marine life making themselves at home. Keep an eye on the tides for the slack window, that's key here.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.004833, -0.834667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
54m

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 OIEKAST

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 OIEKAST

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