PROGRESS

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) - PROGRESS 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 30m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.