Balaclava Bay
Protected Area
Chesil Beach and Stennis Ledges
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) - Balaclava Bay offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest reef diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
Balaclava Bay is one of those spots that often gets overlooked, but if you’re new to UK diving, it's a solid choice. Dropping down to about 15 metres, it's a gentle introduction to Cornwall’s underwater landscape. You’ll find plenty of crabs scuttling over the rocks and anemones clinging to the calmer patches. It's an easy dive, good for getting your buoyancy sorted out or just enjoying a relaxed splash around without any big currents to worry about.
Typical Balaclava Bay Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Balaclava Bay
Dive shops near Balaclava Bay
Dive Beyond Limited
Old Harbour Dive Centre
Divers Down
Dorset Diving Services
Mayim Mermaid Academy
Dive academy
Reviews for Balaclava Bay
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Balaclava Bay
Balaclava Bay Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Balaclava Bay, 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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