POLBRAE - Cornwall & Devon

The Polbrae sits deep, a proper dive at 33 metres, and she’s our pick for a rewarding wreck experience off the Cornish coast. Dropping down, the visibility here often surprises, sometimes pushing past 10 metres, allowing you to really appreciate the scale of this 71-metre steamship. We love how intact she is for a WWI casualty, torpedoed back in 1918; the bow section still holds its shape, and you can make out the anchor chains snaking towards the seabed. Exploring the Polbrae feels like stepping into history. Swim past the cargo holds, now home to plump conger eels that peer out from the gloom, or spot schools of pout darting between the deck plates. There are often jewel anemones clinging to the darker recesses, tiny explosions of colour in the ambient light. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, those who appreciate the quiet dignity of a vessel reclaimed by the sea. Pick a day with minimal swell for the best conditions; it makes the descent much more comfortable.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.817190, -4.684431
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Marine Protected Area: Tintagel-Marsland-Clovelly Coast

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 POLBRAE

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 POLBRAE

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