Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom
    Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

    ATHINA B

    Best months: Jul–Sep

    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) - ATHINA B offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeJul–Sep
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded
    Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The Athina B is a proper Cornish legend, albeit a relatively young one. She ran aground in 1980 after a rough run-in with a storm, and the wreck of this 89-metre motor vessel now lies scattered off the coast, creating a fantastic playground for divers. We actually prefer her broken state; it means you get distinct sections to explore rather than just one big hull. You’ll find her bow section standing quite proud, often shrouded in a hazy green light that’s typical of the English Channel. It’s got a wonderfully eerie feel. Keep an eye out for conger eels tucked into every crevice, sometimes surprisingly large ones. Further along, the midships and stern are more flattened, but this has allowed kelp and anemones to really take hold. The colours here, especially on a bright day, are quite vivid, with purples and oranges against the dark steel. We always recommend timing your dive for slack water; the currents here can be a bit frisky, making it a much more enjoyable experience when they calm down. The Athina B really suits divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, offering plenty of nooks and crannies for investigation and a surprising amount of invertebrate life.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today06:1717:1911h 2m daylightGolden hour 16:34

    ATHINA B Wreck History

    Year Sunk

    1980

    Vessel Type

    cargo ship

    Cause

    grounding

    Tonnage

    3,452 GRT

    The story of the Athina B is one of modern maritime drama that unfolded in full view of the public. In January 1980, the Greek cargo ship was bound for Shoreham with a load of pumice when her engines failed in a fierce storm. For twelve agonizing hours, she drifted helplessly, dragging her anchor as rescue attempts were thwarted by the terrible weather. The captain ultimately made the decision to beach the vessel to save his crew.

    On January 21, the Athina B came to rest on Brighton Beach, just east of the Palace Pier. She immediately became a massive tourist attraction, drawing such large crowds that the historic Volk's Electric Railway had to open out of season to manage the sightseers. The ship remained a local landmark for a month before being refloated and towed away to be scrapped.

    Although the wreck itself is long gone, its legacy endures. The ship's huge anchor was preserved and is now mounted on the Brighton seafront as a monument to the dramatic event. While you can no longer dive the vessel, a visit to the site allows you to stand where the ship once lay and see the very anchor that fought and lost its battle with the storm.

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ATHINA B

    ATHINA B Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for ATHINA B, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)

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    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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