Cawsand Bay, Cornwall

Natural beauty: easy access to the water makes Cawsand ideal for training. All photographs by Neil Hope An aerial view of the beach at Cawsand Octopus hide out in unused moorings at this site

Located on the beautiful Rame Peninsula in southeast Cornwall, the historic fishing village of Cawsand is a picture postcard of bijou cottages and narrow winding streets perched high on the cliffs and overlooking Plymouth Sound.

With the village’s former reputation as a major centre for smuggling long since consigned to the history books, it now serves as a magnet for the many holidaymakers who enjoy its pubs, shops and sandy beach during the summer months.

As the village is popular with swimmers, water-skiers and boaties, its twisting roads are able to cope with little in the way of traffic – congestion can become a problem. With no parking near the beach or slipway, the easiest solution is to drop off your equipment – and someone to guard it – at the village square (next to the beach) and take advantage of the town car park just a couple of minutes’ walk away.

Once on the beach, with its easy access to the water, Cawsand makes an ideal spot for training and also provides a fantastic night dive, with high water offering optimum conditions for both. Visibility varies depending on the prevailing wind direction and amount of rainfall, but it’s generally good. Even after a prolonged spate of bad weather, it can improve over a day or two of favourable conditions.

With a fair amount of boat traffic, as well as the regular five times a day passenger ferry during the summer, an SMB is essential during busy times of the year. To the far right of the beach, beneath the stone wall of Cawsand Bay Hotel, is a large square concrete block that marks the normal point of entry. A series of long finger-like reefs running just off the shoreline in a southeast direction form the main part of the dive and offer the chance to see John Dory and cuttlefish swimming among the patches of eel grass which fringe the reef’s edge.

Various species of flatfish are commonly seen on the sandy bottom, and the ubiquitous wrasse are virtually guaranteed to put in an appearance. Dogfish (or, to be precise, the lesser-spotted catshark) can be seen, but are more common after dusk. Edible crabs, along with spider crabs, are not uncommon and the local fishermen who lay pots in the area have no problems with considerate divers – so feel free to look but please don’t touch!

There are also a number of old unused moorings to explore, providing homes for the octopus and blennies at a maximum depth of 12m – you’ll also find an old rusting anchor in this area. A further point of interest is a series of rocky gullies and swim-throughs found directly beneath the row of cottages on the beach’s opposite side – making an interesting ‘extra’ when tagged onto the beginning or the end of the dive.

For non-diving friends or family, the bay provides a safe environment for children to swim and play, while adults can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the village, enjoying a slice of real Cornwall.


Need to know
Directions
Take the A38 from Plymouth and cross the Tamar Bridge. At the Trerulefoot roundabout turn left onto the A374, then approximately two miles after the village of Polbathic take another left, signposted ‘B3247 Crafthole’. Carry on straight through Millbrook and after a short drive, a turning to the right leads to Cawsand Bay. Be careful – it’s easy to end up in the equally picturesque sister village of Kingsand by mistake at this junction, so ensure you take the right turning.

Tidal and weather considerations
Although best dived at high water, there is little in the way of current to affect diving at any state of the tide. Westerly to northwesterly winds create the best diving conditions, while strong easterly to southeasterly winds are bad news.

Equipment considerations
As the exit and walk back in particular can be strenuous, carry the minimum equipment necessary. However, a torch is useful for exploring the wreckage and an SMB will help shore cover to monitor you if you plan a drift dive. Be wary of fishing line and carry a knife. A rope is useful for the shore cover to have ready to assist divers out of the water.

Air fills
Looe Divers, Marine Drive, Looe Tel: 01503 262727

Parking
Due to Cawsand’s narrow winding lanes there is no on-street parking; however, a large pay car park is situated at the top of the village and it’s a short walk to the beach. Parking is free after 6pm in the winter, and after 7pm in summer.

Local BSAC branch
East Cornwall Divers, based at Torpoint Rowing Club, Torpoint (www.eastcornwalldivers.co.uk). There are a further six BSAC clubs in the Plymouth area; their details can be accessed under ‘find a club’ on the quick links section at www.bsac.com