PRESTIGE - Cornwall & Devon

The *Prestige* is a deep, moody wreck off the Cornish coast, and we think it’s one of the best around for experienced wreck divers. She was a fishing vessel, a substantial one at 39 metres long, that went down in 1960 while under tow in a westerly gale. That’s a long time for the sea to work its magic, and she’s now well broken up but still very much a wreck, scattered across the seabed. Dropping down, you hit a maximum depth of 45 metres here, so this is definitely one for trimix or extended range nitrox, and usually involves a good bit of current. But that current brings the nutrients, which means life. We always see conger eels tucked into the twisted metal, and huge schools of bib and pollack swirl around the structure, often so dense they dim the ambient light. Keep an eye out for dogfish on the sand, too. There’s a wonderful sense of history here, a real journey into the past. We’d suggest a slack water dive if you can time it, to really explore the scale of the debris field.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.310017, -5.234921
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: St Agnes

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 PRESTIGE

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 PRESTIGE

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