WHALE UNIT 552 (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

We’ve always been drawn to a good mystery, and the "WHALE UNIT 552 (POSSIBLY)" wreck delivers exactly that. Dropping to 49 metres off the Cornish coast, this isn't a dive for the faint of heart, but it’s immensely rewarding for those comfortable with deeper, darker UK diving. We love the sheer scale of it, and the way the stern, with its massive slipway, just dominates the seabed. You can spend a whole dive just exploring the processing areas, imagining the old factory floor. Our pick for a truly atmospheric moment is finning through the cavernous holds. The light barely penetrates, and the whole wreck just hums with that deep, cold ocean quiet. Look for plump conger eels tucked into every crevice, and the vibrant bursts of jewel anemones clinging to the darker metalwork. It’s a proper expedition dive, a chance to really connect with history and the powerful, persistent nature of the sea reclaiming what’s hers. We’d suggest a good torch and a buddy who appreciates a bit of a story with their dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.212166, -0.725700
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

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 (POSSIBLY)

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 (POSSIBLY)

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