OOST VLAANDEREN - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.439217, -2.497833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

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 OOST VLAANDEREN

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 OOST VLAANDEREN

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