WOODCOCK - Cornwall & Devon

The Woodcock, resting at 23 metres, is one of those wrecks that just hits different. It’s not just a collapsed hull; you get a real sense of its past as a motor vessel, even though she went down in '43. We often find ourselves drifting along the deck sections, imagining the crew, before dropping into the holds. Inside, the light filters down, illuminating the incredible growth. This wreck is just thick with life. Schools of pollack swirl around the mast, and you'll find conger eels tucked into every nook and cranny. We’ve had some truly mesmerising encounters here, spotting lumpsuckers clinging to the plating and nudibranchs grazing the soft corals. For us, the Woodcock is a perfect site for a relaxed single dive, giving you plenty of time to explore the structure and appreciate the marine residents. It’s a cracker for anyone who loves a wreck with a story, and enough ambient light to really soak it all in.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.233820, -3.992847
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
23m

Marine Protected Area: Hele, Samson's and Combe Martin Bays

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 WOODCOCK

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 WOODCOCK

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