VENDEMIAIRE - Cornwall & Devon

The Vendemiaire, a French Navy submarine lost in 1912, lies deep in the often-turbulent waters off Cornwall. This isn't a dive for the faint of heart, or for those new to deeper wreck diving. We're talking 53 metres, so proper training and gas planning are essential. What you get in return, though, is a genuinely atmospheric experience. Dropping down, the light fades quickly, often giving way to a green glow from the surface. The Vendemiaire itself is remarkably intact for its age and depth. You can make out the conning tower, the hydroplanes, even the torpedo tubes, all draped in fishing nets and growth. It's an eery, silent place. The resident conger eels are huge here, peering out from every opening. Lobsters scuttle into cracks as you approach, and we’ve seen some seriously big pollack hanging in the current just above the hull. Our favourite part is exploring the deck. It’s covered in jewel anemones and dead man’s fingers, glowing under a good torch beam. Visibility can be a challenge, sometimes as little as five metres, but on a good day, when the slack tide hits just right, you get a real sense of the submarine's scale. Come prepared for cold water, even in summer, and always dive it with a skipper who knows the marks well. It’s a challenging dive, but for experienced wreck divers, it's a profound one.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.740100, -2.054000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 VENDEMIAIRE

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 VENDEMIAIRE

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