WHALE UNIT (578Y) - Cornwall & Devon

The Whale Unit, a 61-metre factory ship, sits upright at 50 metres, and it’s a truly humbling dive. We love the historical context here; it’s widely believed she was destined for the Mulberry Harbours off Normandy, scuttled during the D-Day invasion. Dropping down, the sheer size of her emerges from the gloom, often with visibility around 10-15 metres on a good day. The open sections of the wreck are fascinating, giving a real sense of her purpose. We often find conger eels peering from every dark recess, and the structure is now completely encrusted with plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the subtle current. Our favourite part is exploring the deeper cargo holds, though you need to be mindful of your depth and gas. This isn't a dive for the inexperienced; strong currents can sweep through, and the depth demands careful planning. We’d suggest a trimix course if you really want to spend time appreciating her.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.333954, -1.018116
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

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 (578Y)

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 (578Y)

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