GIRL HILARY - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.775590, 0.056762
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Marine Protected Area: Beachy Head West

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 GIRL HILARY

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 GIRL HILARY

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