HAMILTON KINGFISHER - Cornwall & Devon

The *Hamilton Kingfisher* isn’t about depth, that’s for sure. We’re talking about a wreck that sits barely submerged, sometimes even a little proud of the water at low tide. It’s an ex-customs launch, a small fishing vessel that met its end on the Bognor Rocks back in 2001. We love it for its sheer accessibility, making it a proper shore dive for those days you just want to get wet without a boat trip. It’s small, just 7.9 metres, so don't expect a sprawling exploration. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character and the life it now supports. We’ve often found dogfish tucked into its nooks, and the metalwork itself is fuzzy with anemones and encrusting sponges. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, as with many shallow coastal sites in the UK, but on a calm day, with a gentle swell, the light filtering through the surface ripples dances beautifully over the wreck. Our favourite time to dive it is during slack water, just after high tide, when the currents ease and you can properly poke around without fighting the flow. It’s a fantastic site for photographers keen on macro shots or for newer divers getting a feel for wreck diving in a very forgiving environment.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.774334, -0.685000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Bognor Reef

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 HAMILTON KINGFISHER

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 HAMILTON KINGFISHER

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