WILLIAM - Cornwall & Devon

The *William*, off the coast of Cornwall, is a cracking dive for those who appreciate a bit of history with their wreck. She’s a sailing vessel, sunk by a German U-boat in 1917, and sits upright at a very manageable 35 metres. We love that you can really get a sense of her original form, despite the years. The bow points proudly into the current, often shrouded in schooling bib and pollack, while the stern section offers some lovely penetration opportunities into what would have been the holds. What makes *William* really special for us is the way the marine life has integrated with the structure. The masts, now collapsed and lying alongside, are absolutely plastered in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying in the gentle surge. Keep an eye out for conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses of the hull – we've seen some absolute monsters here. For divers comfortable with deeper wrecks and temperate water conditions, she offers a genuinely rewarding exploration. The site can get a bit of current, so timing your dive for slack water is always our top tip.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.776360, -4.728870
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m

Marine Protected Area: Boscastle to Widemouth

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 WILLIAM

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 WILLIAM

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