SOVEREIGN (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Sovereign, a sailing vessel that met its end in 1890 after colliding with the SS Highgate, rests at a hefty 50 metres off the coast of Cornwall and Devon. This deep wreck dive is a serious undertaking, certainly not for the casually inclined. What remains of the 61-metre hull, built in Nova Scotia, is now home to the usual suspects of the UK’s deeper wrecks: expect to spot conger eels peeking from dark corners and dense aggregations of jewel anemones clinging to exposed metal. Given the depth and the often challenging conditions of the English Channel, this site is best suited for technical divers comfortable with limited visibility and strong currents. It's a dive for those who appreciate maritime history and the quiet solitude of the deep.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.474068, -4.917895
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: Stackpole Quay - Trewent Point

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 SOVEREIGN (POSSIBLY)

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 SOVEREIGN (POSSIBLY)

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