Wreck of Olympic Bravery - Cornwall & Devon

We’ve dived a lot of wrecks over the years, but the Olympic Bravery off Land’s End always sticks with us. It’s a fairly young wreck, going down in 1978, which means it’s still got a raw, industrial feel in places. You can swim through engine rooms and accommodation blocks, still largely intact, which is a real thrill. The bow section, in particular, always feels a bit eerie when the visibility drops. Our favourite part has to be the sheer scale of the ship. She was a supertanker, broken into three main sections, so there's a lot to explore across multiple dives. We’ve seen conger eels lurking in shadowed corridors, big lobsters tucked into every crevice, and the odd seal darting past on its way to somewhere more interesting. Because it’s relatively shallow, around 10 to 20 metres, it’s a brilliant wreck for experienced divers looking for serious penetration, but also very accessible for those newer to wreck diving who want to appreciate the structure from the outside. Just be mindful of the currents; they can pick up quickly here.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
48.472810, -5.107740
Type
wreck

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 Wreck of Olympic Bravery

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 Wreck of Olympic Bravery

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