SS Orfordness
Protected Area
Kelsey Head
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) - SS Orfordness offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The SS Orfordness is a good, solid wreck dive off the coast of Cornwall, sitting upright at 35 metres. It’s a cargo ship, carrying a load of coal when she went down, and much of her structure remains intact, including the stern and bow. We’ve found plenty of conger eels making homes in the holds and we generally see spider crabs scuttling across the deck plates. This site suits intermediate divers comfortable with depths and typical UK visibility.
Typical SS Orfordness 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 (35m) - 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 SS Orfordness
Dive shops near SS Orfordness
Dive Newquay
Wavecrest Scuba
Harlyn Dive School
Karleyth Diving Ltd.
Seaways Diving
Scuba 2000
Reviews for SS Orfordness
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for SS Orfordness
SS Orfordness Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for SS Orfordness, 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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