VAL DE SAIRE - Cornwall & Devon

The Val de Saire, a 16-meter fishing vessel, went down in 1991, and now she’s a genuinely great dive for those comfortable with deeper wrecks. Lying upright at 57 metres, she’s small enough that you can really get to know her in one dive, rather than feeling rushed. We love how intact she is – the wheelhouse is still there, and you can peer into the holds, often finding conger eels peering back. The deck is carpeted in jewel anemones, a riot of orange and pink, and enormous edible crabs often scuttle out from beneath plating as you pass. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in these parts, but on a good day, the natural light penetration is surprisingly decent given the depth. We always aim for a slack tide window; the currents here can be fierce if you get it wrong, making for a truly challenging dive. This wreck is perfect for experienced technical divers looking for a rewarding deep dive without the expansive scale of some larger wrecks. It’s an intimate exploration, offering a real sense of the vessel’s working life before she found her final resting place.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.125400, -1.228900
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
57m

Marine Protected Area: Wight-Barfleur Reef

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 VAL DE SAIRE

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 VAL DE SAIRE

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