OPEN CHANNEL - Cornwall & Devon

Okay, so Open Channel. Forget your big, intact wrecks here. This is a properly broken-up fishing vessel, scattered over a wide, shallow area. We love it because it’s surprisingly atmospheric, even at eight metres. Sunlight filters down, illuminating the twisted metal and the incredible growth that’s taken over every surface. You’ll find dabs of jewel anemones, colourful sponges, and nudibranchs grazing on the algae. It's less about penetrating a hull and more about exploring a debris field, discovering little pockets of life. Look for schools of juvenile pollack darting through the wreckage and the occasional grumpy lobster tucked into a crevice. It’s a brilliant site for newer divers getting comfortable with wreck diving in UK waters, or for photographers wanting to play with ambient light and macro subjects. Our favourite time to dive it is on a calm, sunny day with a slack tide – you get the best visibility and the light really brings out the colours.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.696484, -1.729383
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Marine Protected Area: Christchurch Harbour

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 OPEN CHANNEL

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 OPEN CHANNEL

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