Alternative Names: The Gipsy
Type of Dive: Scenic dive along the reef and wreck, good for snorkelling as well.
Suggested experience: Ocean diver
Distance from Plymouth: 18 miles 32 mins Google map
Parking directions: Parking is a problem here so take your kit down to the shore and leave it with a buddy and come back and park. Downderry has a long beach of light shingle. There is road access down to the beach via a slipway although this is blocked by a locked gate, pedestrian access is still possible.
Lat & Long: 50.359248,-4.370906 and Postcode PL11 3NT
Tides: Tide tables You can dive here at any state of the tide.
Depth: 12m
Site entry/exit: This is an easy walk down the sand between the reefs.
Underwater directions: The reef runs east and west but if you want to rummage for parts of the gipsy head west. This is a shallow dive where its best to take your time and look in all the nooks and crannies. Google map
Site Hazards: No major hazards here except occasional boat traffic launching and retrieving boats.
Nearest Public phone:
Mobile Network service: Good most services
Other comments: The wreck of the Gipsy an iron full-rigged ship,1,447 tonnes and was the sister ship to the 'Cutty Sark' can be found just off of Downderry in about 7M of water 90m west of the slipway. She was blown up because she had become a hazard to local fishing vessels. Parts of the wreck are strewn over a large area so is not recognisable as a wreck also the wreckage has begun to be buried by sand.
Pub: The Inn on the shore
Created By: Grant Wilson
Cafe: The swan coffee shop Google map
Air & Nitrox: Sandford and down
Date: 10/2/2012
Revision: 1
Thanks To:
Links: None
Surface Photos: Grant Wilson
Underwater Photos: Contact me
Dive Map: Not required here.
Dive Report: Comment in the box below.