GIRL HILARY

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

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) - GIRL HILARY 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 · max 6m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Girl Hilary is a bit of a local secret, and we absolutely love it for that. She’s a small fishing vessel, went down in heavy seas back in ‘77 off Newhaven, and now she sits in a mere 6 metres of water. We’ve found her to be the perfect chill-out dive, especially if the weather’s a bit choppy elsewhere. What makes her special isn’t her size, it’s the way she’s been completely colonised. The wreck itself is pretty broken up, but you can still make out her general shape. Look for the engine block, which is often swarming with pollack. We’ve spent whole dives just watching them dart amongst the metalwork. The main draw for us is the sheer number of crabs and lobsters tucked into every crevice. Get down low and peer into the darker spots, you'll almost always spot a pair of beady eyes staring back. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the UK, but on a good day, with a bit of sun, the light filtering through the kelp makes the whole site glow. She’s ideal for newer divers or those who just want a relaxed potter, and a favourite for photographers keen to capture the macro life. We’d suggest going at slack tide for the best experience, as currents can pick up a bit around her.