GIBEL-HAMAM - Cornwall & Devon

The Gibel-Hamam is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, often enveloped in a cloud of pollock and bib. She’s a steamship, torpedoed back in 1918, and we find the history really adds to the atmosphere here, knowing 21 lives were lost. You can still make out the forecastle, and the hold forward of the bridge is usually packed with conger eels – we’ve seen some absolute monsters tucked away in there. Our favourite part is exploring the engine room. It’s pretty open now, but you get a real sense of her scale. The deck plates have largely collapsed, so you’re looking down into the guts of the ship, usually with a shimmering curtain of jewel anemones along the bulkheads. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss in the UK, but when it’s good, the light penetrating the structure is genuinely beautiful. This wreck suits divers who appreciate a bit of history and don't mind a bit of a current sometimes; it’s a proper British wreck dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.597866, -2.884050
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
29m

Marine Protected Area: Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to GIBEL-HAMAM

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for GIBEL-HAMAM

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories