WATCHDOG OF WAREHAM - Cornwall & Devon

The Watchdog of Wareham isn't a huge wreck, so don't go expecting a deep penetration dive. What you get instead is a surprisingly intact, small yacht, sunk back in '86 after a fire, now sitting upright on a sandy seabed at 24 metres. It's a proper little time capsule, easy to navigate, and perfect for getting your eye in before tackling some of the bigger Cornish behemoths. We love dropping onto the stern and finning forward. You can poke your head into the wheelhouse, often finding resident blennies peering back at you, and the mast still lies across the deck, draped in fronds of kelp. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss here, typical for the UK, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully through the superstructure, illuminating conger eels tucked into the darker corners and schools of juvenile pollack zipping past. It’s a great site for photographers, especially if you enjoy capturing the intimate details of a wreck and its marine inhabitants rather than grand wide-angle shots. Best explored on a slack tide, obviously. We'd suggest pairing it with a drift dive nearby if the conditions are right.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.586140, -1.796381
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Marine Protected Area: Southbourne Rough

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 WATCHDOG OF WAREHAM

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 WATCHDOG OF WAREHAM

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