VICTORINE - Cornwall & Devon

The *Victorine* isn't one of those wrecks that jumps out at you with dramatic structure. Instead, what we love about this site is its quiet, almost meditative quality. Sitting on the seabed at 20 meters, this fishing vessel, sunk back in 1902, has largely collapsed, but that’s its charm. You’re not navigating tight corridors; you’re drifting over a landscape of tangled metal, a low-lying garden for crabs and lobsters. Visibility here can be a bit variable, as it often is in the channel, but on a good day, the way the sunlight filters down through the kelp just above is beautiful. Look closely amongst the plates and beams; we’ve found some surprisingly large conger eels tucked away, and the nudibranchs here are often spectacular. It’s a photographer’s wreck for the macro-minded, or for those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a wreck truly reclaimed by the sea. We’d suggest diving it on a neap tide for the calmest conditions, giving you more time to really scour the nooks and crannies. It's a proper British wreck dive, unassuming but full of life if you take the time to look.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.517056, -2.427167
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

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 VICTORINE

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 VICTORINE

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