TO VENNER - Cornwall & Devon

The To Venner wreck, off the coast of Cornwall, is one of our favourite dives in the area, offering a really atmospheric experience. This barque sank back in 1893, and the years have turned her into a genuine reef. You won’t find a perfectly preserved hull, but instead a scattered debris field that tells a story. We particularly love the bow section, often home to decent-sized conger eels peeking out from under plates of steel. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery here, as with many UK sites, but on a good day, the light filtering through the kelp-draped remains is quite haunting. Keep an eye out for dogfish resting on the sand beside the wreckage, and schools of pollock darting through the skeleton of the ship. It’s not a deep dive, around 18 metres, which means plenty of bottom time to really explore the layout and appreciate how nature reclaims these old vessels. A great pick for those who enjoy historical wrecks that have become artificial reefs, rather than just intact structures.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.415670, -2.613000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 TO VENNER

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 TO VENNER

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