PERSEVERANCE - Cornwall & Devon

The *Perseverance* wreck is one of our favourite deep dives off the Lizard, a true piece of wartime history resting at 52 metres. It’s the remains of a smack fishing vessel, captured and sunk by a German submarine in 1918. You can almost feel the chill of that winter day as you descend, the light fading through the green water. What makes *Perseverance* so special is its intactness and the way it’s settled on the seabed. You’ll find the hull largely upright, with the stern particularly well-preserved. We love finning over the deck, imagining the crew's last moments. Look for the mast, often draped in dead man's fingers, and don’t forget to peek into the hold – it’s become a haven for conger eels, often surprisingly large ones, and you'll spot them peering out from every nook. The metalwork is a canvas for jewel anemones and hydroids, sparkling in your torch beam. This site is definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with deeper profiles and the often-chilly temperatures of the Cornish coast. We’d suggest a trimix blend to give you ample bottom time to really appreciate its quiet dignity.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.350590, -3.134573
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
52m

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 PERSEVERANCE

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 PERSEVERANCE

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