TOWNELEY

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Bristol Channel Approaches / Dynesfeydd Môr Hafren

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) - TOWNELEY offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 47m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The SS Towneley, down at 47 metres, is a serious dive for those who appreciate a big, intact wreck. She’s a beast of a steamship, 93 metres long, lying mostly upright. You can spend an entire dive exploring her structure, from the massive triple-expansion engines, which are still impressive, to the cavernous holds. We love the feeling of swimming along her decks, imagining her final moments after that torpedo hit in 1918. This isn't a dive for the faint-hearted or inexperienced, but for advanced divers, it’s incredibly rewarding. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the English Channel, but when it's good, you’ll see conger eels peering from every nook and cranny, massive pollack patrolling overhead, and often a few curious seals making a fly-by. Our favourite part is navigating the stern, where the prop shaft is still visible, encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. It’s a proper expedition, and you’ll surface feeling like you’ve truly explored a piece of history. Just be sure to pick a calm day; the run out can be lumpy.