TORTONA
Protected Area
Offshore Brighton
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) - TORTONA offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The TORTONA, for us, is a proper Cornish adventure. It’s a 10.7m sailing vessel that went down in ’81 after hitting something submerged. Now, 47 metres might sound deep for a small wreck, but that’s precisely its charm – it feels like a genuine discovery, not some well-trodden tourist spot. When you drop down, the visibility in this part of the world can be… moody. One day it’s 15 metres and bright, the next you’re feeling your way along. But that’s part of the fun, a proper UK wreck dive experience. The TORTONA sits upright, quite intact, and her small size means you get a real sense of the boat. Our favourite part is peeking into the small cabin; it’s dark in there, a real sense of being somewhere forgotten. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs clinging to the rigging and plenty of squat lobsters making homes in any crevice. It’s not a dive for beginners, that depth demands experience, but for those who love their wrecks atmospheric and a little bit challenging, the TORTONA is a beauty. We’d suggest going at slack water, obviously, but also look for a day with minimal swell – it makes the boat ride out and the descent much more enjoyable.
Typical TORTONA 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 47m 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.
Reviews for TORTONA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for TORTONA
TORTONA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for TORTONA, 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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