Best Diving Spots in Cornwall

July 27th, 2018

As a coastal county, where fun by the seaside is enjoyed by all who visit, it is no surprise that Cornwall is one of the best destinations in the UK for diving. The extensive Cornish coastline is the final resting place for many an unfortunate ship, and also finds itself home to a diverse range of marine life, making it an incredibly interesting area to go exploring underwater. We take a look at a few of the best dive sites around Cornwall.

 

Falmouth Bay

With a mix of shore and offshore dives, Falmouth Bay provides some of the best diving experiences, from wrecks to reefs, for divers of all abilities. The sheltered location, close to shore locations and shallow wrecks in Falmouth Bay are ideal for those only just getting started with diving, while boat trips can take the more experienced further out to deeper dives. With one of the deepest harbours in the world found in Falmouth, the area is home to a high number of shipwrecks, with the infamous Manacles dive site nearby. The waters around Falmouth are filled with a diverse range of marine life, including dogfish, pollack, goldsinny wrasse and conger eels.

 

Mullion

Found on the Lizard Peninsula, Mullion is a small town with a harbour leading to some great diving adventures. A number of wrecks lie beneath the waves, waiting to be explored, including the cannon from the galleon Santo Christo de Castello, a mid-17^th-century merchant ship. A mix of sea life can be found here, such as sea anemones and jellyfish.

 

 

The Manacles

One of the most famous diving sites in the whole of the UK, The Manacles is an impressive reef that has seen the end for over 100 ships. Setting off from Porthoustock Cove, there are a number of dives in the area great for beginners through to experienced divers. A deeper dive for the more proficient divers will see you exploring the Mohegan, a liner that met its end in the reef back in 1898, and is said to be haunted; although that might just be the conger eels that live in the wreck! The wreck of the Volnay, a cargo ship that sunk in 1917, can also be found at the Manacles, around 21 metres deep.

 

Land’s End

Land’s End looks spectacular both above and below water, with a number of dramatic wrecks and scenic dives to explore. While Land’s End marks the stopping point for above sea adventure, it acts as a launch pad for many underwater escapades. There are a number of spots to explore from, including Sennen Cove, where the remains of the s.s. Datetree lie nearby, Runnelstone Reef, which has over 15 wrecked steamships and is perfect for keen photographers, and Lamorna Cove, where the wrecks of s.s. Garonne and s.s. Avebury can be found.

 

For inexperienced divers, there are a wide variety of diving schools dotted around the coast to teach you the ropes, even if you can only manage to snorkel in the shallows! If you want to explore a coastline that is brimming with sea life and to discover the fates of some historical shipwrecks, then join us for luxury Falmouth holidays, with a great location for reaching all the best spots.

Guide to Seaside Sports in Cornwall

June 15th, 2018

As a coastal county, water sports are one of the main activities enjoyed in Cornwall. While everyone knows about the surf in Cornwall, there are plenty of other seaside sports suitable for all abilities. Here are some of the best activities to try around the Cornish coast.

 

Sailing

When the weather is a little warmer or the sea a little calmer, and you don’t want to do something too exhilarating, opt for a gentle sail across the sea. There are plenty of boat trips available around the coast, but if you know how to sail or are lucky enough to have your own boat, then Falmouth is certainly the place to go. With the famous Falmouth Harbour, the third deepest natural harbour in the world, as well as the delightful Fal River, there are plenty of sailing adventures to be found! If you’re up for a bigger adventure, then heading off to the Isles of Scilly makes for a beautiful trip.

 

Canoeing and Kayaking

As well as at the beaches, water makes its way throughout the whole of Cornwall through a series of stunning rivers, lakes and estuaries. Hopping in a canoe or kayak and spending the afternoon paddling down the stream is the perfect way to explore the gorgeous Cornish countryside in a relaxing way. Alternatively, row your way out to sea and you may even be able to get up close with the local wildlife, including seabirds, seals and even dolphins!

 

Diving

You shouldn’t be limited to just the top of the water; try going under it too! As one of the top diving spots in the UK, the Cornish waters are packed full of marine life and shipwrecks ready to explore. There are many diving schools around the coast to choose from, although Falmouth Bay and the Lizard are incredible locations, as they sit either side of the vibrant Manacles Reef, where over 100 shipwrecks have occurred. An impressive range of sea life inhabits the coastline, including octopus, anemones, dogfish, seals, dolphins and even sea turtles!

 

Bodyboarding

An alternative to surfing for those not quite confident to stand up yet! Get up close with the waves on a bodyboard for some easy surf fun. Bodyboarding is a little easier than surfing, meaning you’ll be catching waves a lot quicker, which is good if you’re only visiting Cornwall for a holiday and don’t have the time to take up lots of surfing lessons!

 

Paddle Boarding

Stand Up Paddle Boarding, also known as SUP Boarding, is a water sport that is rapidly growing in popularity throughout Cornwall (and around the world!). If the name didn’t give it away, this activity involves standing on a board and paddling through the sea with a long paddle. Stand up paddle boarding is considered to be one of the best low-impact full body workouts out there, so if you’re missing the gym or trying to burn off all the ice cream you’ve enjoyed, this is your best bet!

 

Water Skiing

Water skiing will see you skimming across the top of the sea, pulled along by a speedy motorboat. Although water skiing can be a competitive sport, it’s all a lot of fun and can be enjoyed by skiers of all skill levels. You can ride the waves on two skis, one ski, on a kneeboard, wakeboard or even no board if you are brave! You don’t need to own your own boat either, as the numerous activity centres, boat rental companies and similar facilities will have everything covered.

 

Surfing

We couldn’t write about seaside sports in Cornwall without mentioning surfing; the sport the coastal county is renowned for. As the go-to surfing spot in the UK, there are hundreds of places around the coast that you can surf at. The best-known of these surfing locations is Fistral Beach in Newquay, which is famous for its great surf. With so many beaches perfect for surfing, it is no surprise that there are plenty of surf schools across the county, meaning you won’t be short of instructors to help you catch some waves!

 

If you’d like to try out some water sports in Cornwall, or even just to relax on the beach, luxury Falmouth holidays could be just the answer!