WHALE UNIT 552 - Cornwall & Devon

Diving a factory ship at 51 metres always feels a bit like stepping into a cold, wet time capsule, and Whale Unit 552 off Cornwall is no exception. We love this wreck for its sheer scale, a proper deep dive that rewards careful planning and good bottom time management. You’re dropping onto a massive industrial hulk, still largely intact, with enormous holds and machinery that tell a story of its working life before it found its final resting place. The visibility here can be decent on a good day, but it’s always dark at depth, so good lights are essential to really pick out the detail. We’ve found big conger eels tucked into the darker recesses, and the wreck structure itself is covered in dead man's fingers and anemones, which add a surprising splash of colour to the gloom. Our favourite part has to be exploring the open deck areas, imagining the whale processing that once took place here. This is a wreck for experienced divers comfortable with deeper profiles and the often chilly, current-swept conditions of the English Channel. Definitely one to factor in for a multi-day trip when the weather window looks promising.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.250668, -0.801500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
51m

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 WHALE UNIT 552

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 WHALE UNIT 552

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