VARVASSI - Cornwall & Devon

The Varvassi, now there's a wreck with a story. She was a big steamship, finally coming to rest in 1947 after a truly impressive run of name changes – Bronze Wings, Noelie, Lady Charlotte, Moscha C Kydoniefs, and finally Varvassi. At just 4 metres, this isn't a deep dive, but don't mistake shallow for uninteresting. What we love about the Varvassi is how accessible she is, even to newer divers, yet still offers plenty to explore. You’re really diving into history here. The wreck is quite broken up, but you can still make out large plates and twisted metal. It’s an interesting experience, tracing the outline of a vessel that once plied the seas, now colonised by the English Channel. We’ve seen crabs scuttling over corroded beams and anemones swaying gently from the hull. Our favourite moments are when the sun cuts through the water, illuminating patches of the wreck and highlighting the vibrant greens and browns of the kelp. It feels genuinely wild, a little piece of the past becoming part of the present ecosystem. Expect a bit of surge sometimes, but it just adds to the atmosphere. We’d suggest going at slack tide for the clearest views.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.661816, -1.593459
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
4m

Marine Protected Area: The Needles

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 VARVASSI

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 VARVASSI

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