VALDES - Cornwall & Devon

The Valdes isn't just a hunk of metal on the seabed, it's a deep dive into history. Torpedoed in 1917, she lies broken but largely intact at 49 metres, a serious dive for experienced wreck heads. We love her bow section, where the torpedo impact is still brutally evident, a stark reminder of the Great War at sea. Penetration is possible for trained divers into the stern, where you can still pick out machinery and the vast hold spaces. The wreck itself is a magnet for life. We’ve seen conger eels the size of small trees poking out from tight crevices, and often, the whole structure shimmers with schools of pollack and bib. Look for jewel anemones painting splashes of colour on the bulkheads, particularly around the more sheltered areas. Be prepared for strong currents here, it’s a site best dived on slack water, and visibility can be variable. Our advice? Go with a local charter who knows the tides intimately. It's a challenging dive, but the Valdes offers a profound connection to the past, wrapped in a thriving artificial reef.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.392260, -2.467974
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

Marine Protected Area: South of Portland

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 VALDES

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 VALDES

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