OOST VLAANDEREN

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - OOST VLAANDEREN offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 25m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Oost Vlaanderen, tucked away off the Cornish coast, is one of those wrecks we always make time for. She’s a motor vessel, sunk by a Whirlwind bomber back in ‘43, and sits upright on a sandy seabed at 25 metres. We love an upright wreck, it just feels more substantial, more like a ship than a pile of scrap. Visibility here can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the UK, but on a good day, the structure emerges from the green, dark and imposing. You’ll find the bow section still quite intact, and we always spend a good while poking around the cargo holds – they're open, offering easy penetration for those with the right training. Expect to see plenty of pollack hanging around the higher points of the wreck, and a surprising number of conger eels in the deeper crevices. Our favourite part is the engine room, which is often accessible, and feels like stepping back in time. This site is great for experienced divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of current, which can sometimes sweep through. Dive it on a slack tide for the best experience.