ONEGA (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Onega, a big old steamship from 1880, sits upright in around 31 metres of water off the coast of Cornwall. We love a wreck with some history, and this one, originally the British Queen, has had a few names in her time before she went down in 1918. You'll drop onto a truly substantial vessel, 122 metres of broken metal, and the sheer scale is the first thing that hits you. The stern, in particular, is a favourite section of ours for exploring, with its rudder still intact and the propeller blades often visible in decent visibility. Inside the hull, you'll find the three boilers, now home to plump conger eels that peer out from the darkness. We’ve had some fantastic dives here, often spotting dogfish tucked into crevices and schools of pollack circling the higher points of the wreck. It's an atmospheric dive, especially when the light filters down through the green water. Current can pick up, so we always suggest timing your dive for slack water to make the most of the penetration opportunities. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the bones of a ship.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.481110, -5.103271
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
31m

Marine Protected Area: Bedruthan Steps and Park Head

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 ONEGA (POSSIBLY)

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 ONEGA (POSSIBLY)

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