BASIL-2
Protected Area
Offshore Overfalls
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) - BASIL-2 offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Basil-2, off the coast of Cornwall, is a cracking wreck dive, especially if you appreciate a bit of history beneath the waves. This steamship, sunk by a U-boat in 1917, now lies at a very manageable 25 metres, making it accessible for most experienced recreational divers. We love poking around her substantial remains; at 103 metres long, there’s plenty to explore. Visibility here is typical for the UK, often around 5-10 metres, but that just adds to the atmosphere as you fin along her decks. You'll often find conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating, and the swim-throughs offer encounters with plump lobsters tucked into every crevice. Our favourite spot is the bow section; it’s still impressively intact and often has shoals of pollack darting through the superstructure. A well-tied shot line and a good torch are essential here, not just for the wreck itself but to appreciate the vibrant jewel anemones that cling to her shadowed corners. Plan for a dive around slack water; the currents can pick up.
Typical BASIL-2 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 25m - Advanced Open Water 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.
BASIL-2 Wreck History
Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Launched in 1895 as the SS Mourne, this venerable steamship began her life plying trade routes for Thomas Dixon & Sons of Belfast. Built by the legendary Workman Clarke & Co, she was a sturdy vessel of her time. In 1898, she was sold to the Booth Steamship Company and renamed the Basil, embarking on a new chapter of service that would last nearly two decades.
Her final voyage came during the height of the First World War. On November 11, 1917, the Basil was lost, likely to enemy action, sinking beneath the waves off the coast of Cornwall. Today, she rests at a depth of 25 meters, a poignant memorial to the Great War's maritime toll. Divers can explore the scattered but recognizable remains of this classic steamship, a vessel that transitioned from a peaceful merchant career to a wartime casualty, now reclaimed by the sea.
Nearest Dive Centres to BASIL-2
Dive shops near BASIL-2
Sussex Diving & Leisure
Mulberry Marine Experiences CIC
Abyss Scuba School
In2 Diving
Ocean View
Reviews for BASIL-2
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BASIL-2
BASIL-2 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BASIL-2, 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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