PORTUGAL - Cornwall & Devon

The Portugal wreck, off the Cornish coast, is one we always suggest for those seeking a proper deep dive with a touch of history. This isn't a site for the faint-hearted or new divers; dropping down to 50 metres, it demands experience and careful planning. We’ve always been drawn to the sheer scale of this steamship, a significant vessel built in 1909 and torpedoed by U-113 in 1918. You descend onto a wreck that feels truly massive, its 71.9-metre length spread across the seabed. The bow and stern sections are particularly well-preserved, standing proud enough to offer swim-throughs into cargo holds that still feel eerie and cavernous. We love exploring the debris field around the main structure; it's here you often spot hefty conger eels peering from pipes and crevices, or lobsters scuttling away into the shadows. The sheer isolation of the Portugal at this depth means it attracts larger fish, too; we’ve seen impressive pollack schooling around the superstructure, their silver scales flashing in our torch beams. Best dived on slack water to avoid strong currents, this wreck delivers an authentic deep-sea exploration, leaving you with a genuine sense of its past.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.566483, -5.192467
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: Trevose 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 PORTUGAL

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 PORTUGAL

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