VARUNA (POSSIBLY)

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

East of Start Point

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - VARUNA (POSSIBLY) offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 55m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Varuna, now she’s a proper dive for those who love their history with a side of deep exploration. Lying at 55 metres, this isn't a beginner's playground, but for experienced technical divers, it’s a real treat. We’re talking about a fishing smack, sunk back in 1918 by a German submarine, UC-75. It’s a quiet, humbling spot, often draped in that classic Devon green light, where the past feels incredibly present. What you'll find down there is a surprisingly intact vessel, considering her age and depth. The wooden hull has long since succumbed to the sea, but the sturdy framework remains, skeletal and defiant. We love how the metal ribs create a series of shadowy archways, perfect for navigating through, feeling that cool squeeze as you pass. Expect to see conger eels, thick as a diver's thigh, peering out from crevices, and the occasional inquisitive bib darting in and out of the structure. Our favourite moments here are when the light catches the encrusting anemones, giving the drab metal a surprising splash of colour. It’s a dive for contemplation, for imagining the men who worked her, and the sudden violence of her end. If you're a wreck aficionado with the right training, the Varuna offers a genuine connection to maritime history.