ACHIEVEMENT
Protected Area
Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - ACHIEVEMENT offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 10°C.
The *Achievement*, a yacht that found its final resting place in 1984, isn't a grand, deep wreck, but it’s still one of our favourite shallow dives in the area, especially when the conditions are right. Lying in just 6 metres of water, often less at low tide, this 7.6-meter vessel is a testament to how quickly the sea reclaims things. We’ve spent many an hour here just pottering about, watching the light play through the kelp on a sunny day. What really makes the *Achievement* special is its accessibility and the sheer density of life for such a small wreck. The ribs of the hull are now home to nudibranchs the colour of sunset, and we always find spider crabs scuttling across the remaining decking. It’s a site that really rewards a slow, careful exploration, peering into every crevice for blennies or a curious wrasse. This is a brilliant spot for newer divers looking to get a feel for wreck diving without the depth, or for photographers wanting to capture macro life in good light. Just pick a calm day with minimal swell, and you’ll love it.
Typical ACHIEVEMENT Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Cold water this month (avg 10°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
ACHIEVEMENT Wreck History
Year Sunk
1984
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
collision
The Achievement was a small 7.6-meter sailing yacht whose final voyage was a short coastal trip from Newhaven to Brighton on April 28, 1984. During the passage, the vessel struck an unknown submerged object, which fatally holed the hull. Despite an attempted tow, the Achievement took on too much water and sank just half a mile from the safety of Brighton Marina.
Lying at a shallow depth of 6 meters, the wreck is accessible to divers of all levels. Given its small size and wooden or fiberglass construction, it is likely very broken up after decades on the seabed. The site offers a chance to explore the remnants of a modern pleasure craft, now serving as a small artificial reef for local marine life. The 'Dangerous' classification warns divers to be cautious of potential entanglement from ropes or rigging that may still be present.
Nearest Dive Centres to ACHIEVEMENT
Dive shops near ACHIEVEMENT
Ocean View
Abyss Scuba School
Mulberry Marine Experiences CIC
Sussex Diving & Leisure
Reviews for ACHIEVEMENT
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ACHIEVEMENT
ACHIEVEMENT Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ACHIEVEMENT, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (50.61, -4.86) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
9.63°C
49°F
Air Temperature
17.09°C
63°F
Wind Speed
6.66 m/s
12.9 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1015.6 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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