VASCO
Protected Area
Beachy Head West
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) - VASCO offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Vasco, a steamship that met its end in 1916, sits at 32 metres, making it a dive for those comfortable with deeper wrecks. This 85-meter vessel, built in 1895, offers a substantial structure to explore, even if it is a bit broken up. We’ve found conger eels tucked into the collapsed sections, and often seen schools of bib flitting around the remaining ribs of the hull. It's a proper British wreck dive, generally with decent visibility for the area, and provides a good sense of history, albeit a sombre one.
Typical VASCO Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (32m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to VASCO
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for VASCO
VASCO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for VASCO, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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