wreck

Log This Dive

UNDERLEY

We love the Underley for a proper wreck dive, even if it’s a shallow one. This iron sailing vessel, sunk way back in 1871, lies broken but still recognisable, with parts of her hull and ribs creating a fantastic structure to explore. It’s not about finding intact cabins; it’s about the sheer scale and the way the sea has reclaimed her. We always find the bow section particularly compelling, jutting up from the seabed. Vis here can be classic UK style, a bit green with a good bit of particulate, but on a calm day, when the sun pierces through, the light plays beautifully across the ironwork. Expect to find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices, some surprisingly large lobsters peering out, and an abundance of wrasse darting through the skeletal remains. It’s a site that feels genuinely historical, a tangible link to Cornwall’s maritime past. Our favourite approach is to take our time, tracing the length of the wreck, imagining the cargo of cotton and gunpowder she carried. This is a dive for those who appreciate the ghost of a ship and the life it now supports, rather than a pristine reef.