PORTSEA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - PORTSEA offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Okay, Portsea. This isn’t a deep dive, barely two meters at its highest point, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not worth the effort. It’s a steamship, lost off Hournet Florains, and what you get here is a proper shallow water wreck, broken up a bit by time and tide. We love that it’s so close to the surface; it makes for some fantastic ambient light play, especially on a sunny day. You’ll spend your time here weaving through twisted metal plates and around rusted girders, feeling the slight tug of the current even in the calmest conditions. The wreck itself has become a home for all sorts of critters. Look closely, and you’ll spot tiny blennies peering from crevices, and the occasional dogfish tucked under a plate. It's a proper slow-motion exploration, perfect for photographers wanting to capture light and texture. We’d suggest hitting this one at slack tide to really appreciate the details without getting pushed around too much.