APACHE
Protected Area
South of Portland
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) - APACHE offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Apache is one of those wrecks that just keeps giving, even on a day when the visibility isn't playing ball. We've dropped onto her countless times and still find new things to poke around. She was an ex-yacht, then a cargo vessel, going down in 1917. You can really feel that history when you’re finning over her deck. Lying at 36 metres, she’s a good one for advanced divers, particularly if you appreciate an atmospheric dive. We find her structure remarkably intact for her age and exposure. The stern is our favourite spot, often swarming with pollack and bib. Look closely and you'll spot conger eels in the deeper crevices, sometimes just their heads peeking out from a pipe. The bow section is impressive too, often silhouetted against the greener light filtering down. We usually take our time, circumnavigating the wreck slowly to really soak it all in. The sense of scale, even for a wreck of 54 metres, is surprising when you’re down there, tracing her lines. It’s a proper dive, one we always look forward to.
Typical APACHE Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (36m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
APACHE Wreck History
Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
yacht
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
630 GRT
The vessel known as the Apache began life as the epitome of Gilded Age luxury. Launched in 1890 as the 'White Heather', she was a magnificent and graceful steam yacht, a symbol of wealth and leisure. With the outbreak of the First World War, her elegant life came to an end. She was requisitioned by the French Navy, renamed Apache, armed, and pressed into service as an auxiliary patrol vessel, tasked with hunting the very U-boats that were terrorizing Allied shipping.
On October 4, 1917, her fate was sealed while on patrol off Start Point, Devon. The hunter became the hunted when she was struck by a torpedo from the German submarine UB-40. The explosion tore through the former yacht, and she sank quickly, taking her crew with her. Today, the Apache sits upright and remarkably intact on the seabed at 36 metres. She is a popular wreck for UK divers, offering a poignant journey through time. Exploring her decks, divers can still make out the elegant lines of the yacht beneath her wartime modifications, a beautiful vessel that was sacrificed in the line of duty.
Nearest Dive Centres to APACHE
Dive shops near APACHE
Dive Beyond Limited
Old Harbour Dive Centre
Divers Down
Mayim Mermaid Academy
Dorset Diving Services
Reviews for APACHE
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for APACHE
APACHE Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for APACHE, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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