BAYGITANO
Protected Area
Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs
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) - BAYGITANO offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Baygitano, a steamship torpedoed in 1918 by UC-77, is a proper chunk of history lying just southwest of Lyme Regis. She’s a big wreck, over 100 metres long, and while she’s mostly collapsed, there’s still plenty of structure to get your fins around. We love poking through the boiler rooms, imagining the chaos of her final moments. At 17 metres, it’s a comfortable depth for most open water divers, though we’d suggest waiting for a calm day and slack tide; the currents here can really rip. Visibility is your usual UK affair – expect anything from a murky three metres to a respectable ten on a good day. Despite the murk, the marine life is excellent. Conger eels often peer out from every crevice, their heads like knobbly fists. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the prop shaft usually hosts a resident ball of pout and cod. Look closely at the metalwork; it’s draped in dead man’s fingers and jewel anemones, creating a surprisingly colourful carpet over the corroded steel. This is a dive for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a hunt.
Typical BAYGITANO 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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BAYGITANO Wreck History
Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
3,073 GRT
The SS Baygitano was a 3,000-ton steamship that served diligently throughout World War I, transporting government stores and materials across the English Channel. In March 1918, she was on a voyage from Le Havre, France, to Swansea, Wales, carrying a cargo of pit props-timber essential for reinforcing the trenches on the Western Front and for use in Britain's vital coal mines.
On March 18th, 1918, while steaming through Lyme Bay, she was targeted by the German submarine UC-77. A single torpedo found its mark, and the Baygitano sank in a matter of minutes, just a mile and a half off the coast of Lyme Regis. The sinking was so swift that two crew members were unable to escape and went down with their ship.
Because she sank in just 17 meters of water, the Baygitano is now one of the most popular and accessible wreck dives in the UK. Her shallow depth makes her suitable for divers of all levels, from newly qualified to experienced veterans. The wreck is heavily broken up due to wave action over the last century, but her boilers, engine, and large sections of hull are easily identifiable. The scattered wreckage has created a perfect habitat for marine life, and divers can expect to see a profusion of wrasse, pollack, bib, and crabs, making it a fantastic site for underwater photography and marine life observation.
Nearest Dive Centres to BAYGITANO
Dive shops near BAYGITANO
Dive academy
Edge Watersports
Old Harbour Dive Centre
Scuba Blue Ltd
Scuba Scene Taunton
Dive Beyond Limited
Reviews for BAYGITANO
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BAYGITANO
BAYGITANO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BAYGITANO, 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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