PALLION (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Pallion, probably. That ‘probably’ in the name tells you a lot about diving the UK’s deeper wrecks – a bit of mystery, a fair amount of detective work, and the reward of finding something truly special. We love this site not just for the wreck itself, but for the story it tells. Sunk in 1873 due to a broken prop shaft, a mundane mechanical failure ending a journey from Cardiff to Suez with a load of coal. At 56 metres, this is a serious dive, best suited for experienced technical divers. We’ve always found the visibility here to be surprisingly good on a calm day, often a rich, emerald green that glows with torchlight. Dropping down, the structure emerges from the gloom, its 70-metre length slowly revealing itself. The two massive boilers are a particular favourite, standing proud amidst the collapsed hull, now completely colonised by plumose anemones and dead man’s fingers. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for conger eels, their heads peeking out, and we’ve often spotted lobsters tucked into crevices. The Pallion offers a real sense of history, a quiet, deep resting place for a working ship, now a vibrant artificial reef far from the shipping lanes.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.094300, -4.798833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
56m

Marine Protected Area: Lundy

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 PALLION (PROBABLY)

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 PALLION (PROBABLY)

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