PRINCESS ROYAL - Cornwall & Devon

The Princess Royal, resting at 34 metres, is one of those wrecks that just gets under your skin. We love how intact she feels despite being down since 1918. Her sheer size, 88 metres of steamship, means you'll need more than one dive to really get a handle on her. Dropping down, the bow section is often the first thing that comes into view, sometimes eerily silhouetted against the murkier green water. Swim along her decks, past the remains of her triple-expansion engine, and you start to get a real sense of her scale. Look for the massive prop shaft, a truly impressive piece of engineering. It’s dark down there, even on a sunny day, so good lights are essential – we always suggest a primary and a backup. What truly brings her to life is the resident marine population. Expect to find conger eels peering from every dark hole, their thick bodies wrapped around rusted beams. Our favourite sight is the shoals of poor cod, a shimmering cloud that parts and reforms as you move through the wreck. Big bib hang around the deeper parts, too, often joining the congers. This site really suits divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't put off by deeper, darker conditions. The currents here can be tricky, so pick your slack water carefully and make sure you’re comfortable with drift lines. It’s a proper dive, one that rewards careful planning.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.323750, -5.334183
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m

Marine Protected Area: Godrevy Head to 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 PRINCESS ROYAL

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 PRINCESS ROYAL

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