WELBURY - Cornwall & Devon

The Welbury is a proper journey back in time, a really solid wreck dive off Cornwall. We always appreciate a wreck that tells a story, and this one, built in 1882, has been down since 1900. It's not a site for absolute beginners, but if you’re comfortable with a bit of depth and colder water, you’ll love it. What we really enjoy here is the sheer scale of the Welbury. At nearly 80 metres long, there's a good chunk of hull and superstructure still standing proud, making for some excellent penetration opportunities if you’re qualified and careful. You can often see the massive boilers, hulking reminders of its steam-powered past, and the single shaft is usually identifiable. Light filters through cracks and openings, illuminating big pollock and conger eels that have made homes in the deeper recesses. Look closely for nudibranchs on the encrusted metalwork, and we’ve often seen spider crabs scuttling amongst the plates. Visibility can be a bit variable, as it often is in the UK, but on a good day, the structure looms impressively from the green gloom. Our top tip? Dive this one on a slack tide; the currents can pick up, making it a much less enjoyable experience if you get caught out.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.979675, -4.536117
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Marsland to Clovelly Coast

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 WELBURY

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 WELBURY

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