ORCHIS
Protected Area
Gribbin Head - Polperro
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) - ORCHIS offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Orchis is a proper wreck dive, a steamship that went down in 1935, sitting upright at 41m. We love how intact she is, especially for a vessel of her age and size. You can still make out the single boiler and the triple expansion engine, machinery aft as the data says, and for us, that’s where the real character lies. It feels like stepping back in time, seeing the skeleton of her working life. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in these waters, but when it’s good, the natural light filtering down creates some incredible atmosphere around the bow. Watch for conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses and often large schools of pollack hanging above the deck. Our favourite spot is exploring the stern where the machinery is most prominent. It’s an advanced dive, for sure, given the depth and potential currents, but a fantastic reward for technical divers or experienced wreck enthusiasts.
Typical ORCHIS Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 41m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to ORCHIS
Dive shops near ORCHIS
Dive Looe
Viewpoint Diving Centre
Scuba 2000
Karleyth Diving Ltd.
Plymouth Diving Centre
Sound Diving Limited
Reviews for ORCHIS
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ORCHIS
ORCHIS Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ORCHIS, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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