Diving in Cornwall

Set in the southwest of England, Cornwall is surrounded by two different bodies of water, the Celtic Sea and the English Channel. The North Coast on the Cornwall is on the Celtic Sea which is rougher and more exposed than the south. It has great beaches though and is a very popular tourist destination. The south, which sits on the English Channel is more sheltered and calm, dubbed the “Cornish Riviera”. Here you will find dramatic granite cliffs and sheltered bays, providing a wealth of different dive experiences for all levels of diver, with even children learning in these waters during the summer holidays. There are several shallow shore dive options as well as daily boat dives that have to follow the local tides, so it’s worth checking their schedules. There are reefs offshore to explore and plenty of interesting wrecks in deeper waters for advanced divers. The most popular bases for your diving holiday are the pretty coastal towns of Newquay, with Falmouth and Penzance to the south, along with Porthkerris Cove. If you’re travelling in the summer months, make sure to book accommodation in advance in this popular seaside county, it is a favorite with families.

Dive Sites in Cornwall

Featured places to go in Cornwall

Lizard Peninsula

In lizard peninsula, there are more than 100 spectecular shipwrecks which can be explored here.

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Newquay is a former fishing village on the Celtic Sea that is known for having over 30 shipwrecks under the waters off its shore.

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Aquatic Life in Cornwall

About 14-32km (15 – 20 miles) out from the town of Newquay, divers have an opportunity to see sharks. There is an abundance of small fish in the area that attract the migration of Blue Sharks at certain times of the year in the Cornwall area. These endangered predators are a real treat to see, especially this far north. This area is also home to reefs that host Gorgonian sea fans and jewel anemones. With the number of shipwrecks in the area, you will also find many conger eels who like to hide in the crevices and holes of the wrecks.