SIMLA
Protected Area
Compton Chine to Steephill Cove
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) - SIMLA offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Simla, a grand iron sailing ship, rests at 36 metres off the Cornish coast. We tend to think of her as a proper exploration dive, a significant piece of history to explore rather than a quick look-around. She started life as a P&O steamship, later converted to sail, before sinking in 1884. That makes her an older wreck, and the years have softened her edges, but the scale of her remains is still impressive at over 100 metres long. You'll find a lot of her structure is collapsed, yet her sheer size means there’s plenty to navigate, with plate work and ribs forming interesting swim-throughs. Keep an eye out for conger eels tucked into crevices and plumose anemones carpeting the darker sections. It’s a dive for those comfortable with deeper UK waters and a healthy respect for maritime history.
Typical SIMLA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (36m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to SIMLA
Dive shops near SIMLA
In2 Diving
TAL Scuba Ltd.
Andark Diving
Divers Down
Mayim Mermaid Academy
Sussex Diving & Leisure
Reviews for SIMLA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for SIMLA
SIMLA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for SIMLA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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