RENOWN - Cornwall & Devon

Renown sits about two miles southeast of Porthcawl Gas Buoy, a ketch that went down back in 1926. It's a proper piece of history, built in Bideford way back in 1856, then finally lost while sailing from Bridgewater to Dublin after a heavy squall ripped off her mizzen mast. We love a wreck with a story, and Renown has a good one. At 15 metres, it’s a friendly depth for most divers, and while the wreck itself is well-broken, you can still make out the distinct shape of a wooden sailing vessel, with ribs and planks scattered across the seabed. When you drop down, the first thing you notice is the way light filters through the green water, often quite moody, giving the whole site a wonderfully atmospheric feel. We’ve spent hours here, meticulously picking through the debris, finding old fittings, and imagining her final moments. Conger eels are often found tucked into the larger sections, and pollack will dart around the masts, which are now just stumps on the seabed. It’s not a site for big schools of fish, but rather for those who appreciate the quiet history of a lost ship and the small, resilient life that colonises it. If you’re into gentle exploration and a bit of maritime archaeology, Renown is our pick for a dive that offers a real connection to the past.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.417140, -3.717875
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Southerndown Coast

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 RENOWN

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 RENOWN

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