Sources · Destination Guide

Cornwall (Falmouth, the Lizard and Newquay)

Cold-water wrecks, kelp reefs and Atlantic wildlife across Cornwall's two coasts

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Research Sources

Destination Guide Sources For Cornwall (Falmouth, the Lizard and Newquay)

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

31 sources • Updated Sep 4, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Sep 4, 2026.

Falmouth Official - Diving in Falmouth Bay and surrounds - Official destination guide to accessible shore dives, Falmouth Bay wrecks, and the Manacles reef system.
PADI - Must-Dive Destinations in Cornwall - Site descriptions for the Lizard Peninsula, the Mohegan, Volnay, Porthkerris, and Falmouth shore diving.
PADI - Scuba Diving in Cornwall, a Guide to England's Riviera - Supports the May to September main dive season, winter water lows, summer water highs, and two-coast planning logic.
Porthkerris Divers - Local operator source for shore access, on-site dive services, training, and day-boat access to the Manacles.

Research Sources

Destination Guide Sources For Cornwall (Falmouth, the Lizard and Newquay)

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

31 sources • Updated Sep 4, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Sep 4, 2026.

Falmouth Official - Diving in Falmouth Bay and surrounds - Official destination guide to accessible shore dives, Falmouth Bay wrecks, and the Manacles reef system.
PADI - Must-Dive Destinations in Cornwall - Site descriptions for the Lizard Peninsula, the Mohegan, Volnay, Porthkerris, and Falmouth shore diving.
PADI - Scuba Diving in Cornwall, a Guide to England's Riviera - Supports the May to September main dive season, winter water lows, summer water highs, and two-coast planning logic.
Porthkerris Divers - Local operator source for shore access, on-site dive services, training, and day-boat access to the Manacles.

- Internal spot page supporting the shore-entry format, depth profile, seasonal window, and mixed scuba, freedive, and snorkel use.

DiveJourney - The Mohegan Wreck - Internal spot page supporting boat access, advanced suitability, slack-water planning, wreck depth, and strong-current exposure.

DiveJourney - Porthoustock - Internal spot page supporting sheltered, shallow, training-friendly shore diving and snorkeling on the Lizard Peninsula.

DiveJourney - Swanpool Beach - Internal spot page supporting shallow Falmouth shore diving, snorkeling, kelp habitat, and beginner use.

DiveJourney - Gylly Beach - Internal spot page supporting sheltered shore access, training suitability, seagrass, reef, and shallow wreckage.

DiveJourney - Silver Steps - Internal spot page supporting tide-timed access to shallow reef, kelp, gullies, and U-boat remains.

FreediveUK - Newquay Freediving Sites - Local freediving source for Pentire and Fistral exposure, depth, rip-current awareness, and marine-life observations.

FreediveUK - Newquay Freediving Sites Part 2 - Local source for Cribbar and Towan Headland depth, slack-water requirements, sheltered alternatives, and boat-traffic risks.

Aquacity Freediving - Cornwall Wildlife - Local freediving operator source for Porthkerris conditions, line depth, Manacles boat access, seals, dolphins, and the mid-July to late-August blue shark window.

Blue Shark Snorkel - Trip FAQs - Operator source for the May to October blue shark season, participant requirements, water temperatures, equipment, insurance, and weather cancellation policy.

Met Office - St Mawgan Long-Term Climate Averages - Official long-term climate context for the Newquay side of Cornwall, including seasonal sunshine and rainfall patterns.

Natural England - The Manacles Marine Conservation Zone - Official designation material for the Manacles Marine Conservation Zone.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust - Manacles Reef Survey - Seasearch survey evidence for jewel anemones, pink sea fans, sponges, soft corals, kelp, wrasse, pollack, and crawfish.

Cornwall Council - Fal and Helford Marine Protected Area - Official overview of the Fal and Helford SAC, Falmouth Bay SPA, Helford Estuary MCZ, Manacles MCZ, and responsible recreation guidance.

GOV.UK - Report Wreck Material - Official requirement to report recovered wreck material to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.

GOV.UK - Wreck and Salvage Law - Official guidance on protected places, controlled sites, military remains, licensing, and look-but-do-not-touch access.

DDRC Healthcare - Diving Emergency - Current UK diving emergency procedure, oxygen first aid guidance, Coastguard routing, and the National Diving Accident Helpline.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals - Emergency Department - Official information for the 24-hour Emergency Department at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

GOV.UK - Electronic Travel Authorisation - Current UK entry guidance, including who usually needs an ETA, permitted visit length, exemptions, and the official application fee.

Cornwall Airport Newquay - Flights - Official route-planning page for Cornwall Airport Newquay; routes and operating days remain seasonal and subject to change.

Cornwall Airport Newquay - Public Transport - Official airport guidance for buses to Newquay, Padstow, Wadebridge and Truro, plus the Newquay rail connection via Par.

Visit Cornwall - Official destination source for coast, towns, gardens, walking, accommodation variety, and year-round topside planning.

Visit Newquay - Official Newquay tourism source for Atlantic beaches, Fistral, the harbour, sea safaris, the Gannel and year-round visitor infrastructure.

English Heritage - Pendennis Castle - Official visitor source for Falmouth's Tudor coastal fortress, maritime views, tunnels, and wartime history.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Official visitor information for Falmouth's all-weather maritime museum.

South West Coast Path - Official trail-planning source for day walks and longer coastal sections around Cornwall.

Destination hero photo by Simon Wilkes - Photographer profile: https://unsplash.com/@simonfromengland