PROGRESS - Cornwall & Devon

The Progress, lying just off Plymouth Sound, is a proper chunk of history on the seabed. She’s a reasonably intact steam barge, and our pick for divers who love to get hands-on with a wreck. You can still make out the bow and stern, plus some intriguing machinery amidst the wreckage, making for a genuinely engaging dive. We love poking around her structure, imagining the life she once had transporting goods. Dropping down, the visibility in this part of the world can be hit or miss, but on a good day, the Progress reveals herself slowly from the gloom, a dark silhouette against the murk. The depth sits around 30 metres, which means it's one for those comfortable with deeper dives and decent bottom time management. As you explore, expect to find plenty of crabs scuttling over the plates, dogfish lurking under ledges, and often a good number of bib and pollack weaving through the exposed beams. The growth isn't tropical, but the anemones and sponges add a rugged beauty to the steel. We'd suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents here can be a bit frisky if you get it wrong.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.733166, -2.186500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 PROGRESS

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 PROGRESS

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