PETERSHAM - Cornwall & Devon

The Petersham is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. Dropping down onto her, you get a real sense of her scale, even at 39 metres. She’s a big old steamship, sunk back in 1918, and what’s left is a tangled but coherent mess of steel that’s been thoroughly claimed by the sea. We love exploring her two huge boilers – they’re a fantastic focal point, often absolutely buzzing with conger eels peering out from every crevice. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones, especially on the more sheltered sections, and the swim-throughs, where parts of the superstructure have collapsed, are just wide enough to feel adventurous without being too tight. Our favourite is moving along the deck plates, imagining the scale of her in her working life, and seeing schools of pollock dart between the ribs. Visibility here can be variable, but on a good day, when the sun penetrates a little, the colours are surprisingly rich. It’s definitely one for experienced wreck divers comfortable with depth and the occasional surge. We’d suggest going in late summer or early autumn for the best chance of decent conditions.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.418118, -5.296600
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
39m

Marine Protected Area: Kelsey Head

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 PETERSHAM

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 PETERSHAM

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