START
Protected Area
Albert Field
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) - START offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Start, a steamship built in 1896, rests upright in 41 metres, offering a deep, atmospheric dive. We’ve found her to be quite intact, with the stern particularly well-preserved, including the propeller and rudder often still discernible. Inside the holds, you’ll likely find conger eels peering from dark recesses and pollack schooling over the decks. It's a dive best suited for experienced cold-water wreck enthusiasts comfortable with deeper profiles, especially given the typically changeable English Channel conditions.
Typical START Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 41m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
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 START
Dive shops near START
Divers Down
Mayim Mermaid Academy
Dorset Diving Services
TAL Scuba Ltd.
Dive Beyond Limited
Old Harbour Dive Centre
Reviews for START
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for START
START Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for START, 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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