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WAITARA

The Waitara sits deep, a proper expedition dive at 53 metres, off the coast of Cornwall. This isn't one for a quick splash, but it’s a brilliant dive for those with the training and experience to appreciate a deep, intact sailing ship. She went down after a collision in 1883, carrying passengers and crew from Gravesend to Wellington, and the story of her loss really adds to the atmosphere down there. We love the scale of the Waitara. At nearly 60 metres long, you get a real sense of a grand vessel. The bow section is particularly impressive, rising from the seabed, often shrouded in schooling bib. Exploring the holds, we've come across some surprisingly large conger eels, tucked into the gloom, and the occasional anglerfish lying perfectly camouflaged on the deck. Visibility can be a challenge here, often around 5-10 metres, so good buoyancy and torch work are essential. Our pick for timing is often early morning on a slack tide, before the boat traffic stirs things up too much. It's a sombre, beautiful dive, a real piece of maritime history under the waves.