PORTHKERRY - Cornwall & Devon

Porthkerry is a properly chunky wreck, a great dive if you ask us, lying in a pretty exposed spot off Portland. She was a steamship, built in Sunderland, and went down in 1917 after hitting a mine. You can still see the scale of her, 85 metres long, broken but upright on the seabed at 45 metres. We love dropping onto the stern, where the triple expansion engine and those two big boilers are still very much intact. The prop shaft stretches out, a clear pathway through the gloom. You’ll find squat lobsters tucked into every crevice and conger eels peering from the deeper recesses. The visibility here can be… challenging, so pick your day carefully, ideally with slack tide and calm seas. It’s a dive for those comfortable with deeper wrecks and a bit of current, but she rewards the effort. You get a real sense of history here, the metalwork cloaked in dead man's fingers and anemones. Our favourite part is navigating the broken midships section, feeling the sheer size of the vessel even in its current state.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.630043, -0.314307
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 PORTHKERRY

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 PORTHKERRY

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for scuba diving at Porthkerry?
Diving at Porthkerry typically involves depths around 45 meters. This makes it a deep wreck dive, suitable for divers with appropriate training and experience.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Porthkerry?
Divers at Porthkerry can explore the impressive remains of a steam ship vessel, measuring 85.3m x 12.2m. This non-dangerous wreck, sunk in 1917, provides an artificial reef structure that often attracts various marine life, creating a fascinating underwater environment.
How challenging is diving at Porthkerry, and is it suitable for beginners?
Diving at Porthkerry is classified as intermediate difficulty. With a depth of 45 meters and being a wreck dive, it is not suitable for beginners. Divers should possess advanced certifications and experience with deep and wreck diving.
What are the best times of year or conditions to dive at Porthkerry for optimal experience?
The provided data does not specify the best times of year or optimal conditions for diving at Porthkerry. For general guidance on planning your dive trips, you may find our When to Dive resource helpful.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Porthkerry?
Given the 45-meter depth and intermediate difficulty of the Porthkerry wreck dive, divers would typically need advanced certifications. This includes a Deep Diver specialty and likely a Wreck Diver specialty to safely and effectively explore the site.
What are the typical currents and visibility like at Porthkerry dive site?
The provided data for the Porthkerry dive site does not include specific details regarding typical currents or visibility. Divers should consult local dive operators for up-to-date conditions before planning their dive.