UNICORN - Cornwall & Devon

We’ve spent a fair few days diving around the UK, and Unicorn has always stuck with us. It’s a steamship, sunk back in 1923, sitting upright and pretty much intact at 48 metres. Dropping down onto her bow is quite the sight; you really get that sense of a vessel frozen in time, the mast still reaching up, though not quite to the surface these days. What we really love about this wreck is how approachable she feels despite the depth. At 27 metres long, she’s not huge, which means you can really take your time and explore her entire length on a single dive. We always find conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses of the holds, and the bridge area is often swarming with pollack. Visibility here can be surprisingly good on the right day, sometimes pushing 15 metres, which really lets you appreciate the ship’s structure. Our insider tip? Go for an early morning slack water dive, especially in late summer, and you might just get that golden light filtering down onto the deck. It’s a proper expedition dive, but for experienced wreck enthusiasts, it’s a brilliant window into maritime history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.282368, -4.258550
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: Rame Head

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 UNICORN

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 UNICORN

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