UB-81 - Cornwall & Devon

Arrecife Coralino. The name alone tells you what you're in for: a solid coral reef. And it delivers. We love drifting along the gentle slopes here, often finding ourselves eye-to-eye with a Caribbean Chestnut Moray peeking out from a crevice. It’s the kind of site that rewards slow exploration. Our pick for a quiet morning dive, before the day boats really get going. You'll often see schools of French Grunts and Schoolmasters hanging out in the sunlight, creating these shimmering walls of silver. Keep your eyes peeled for the smaller stuff too, like the Nodose Clinging Crab, tucked away on a sponge, or a Spitlure Frogfish doing its best impression of a rock. The coral diversity here is genuinely impressive, with big heads of Elliptical Star Coral and delicate Thin Finger Coral side-by-side. It’s not a drift dive, more of a leisurely bimble, perfectly suited for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak it all in. We’d suggest going early; the water tends to be calmer, and you beat the crowds.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.489445, -0.970000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Utopia

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 UB-81

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 UB-81

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