HARTBURN (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Hartburn is one of those deeper wrecks that really sticks with you, a proper historical piece lying off Start Point. We love diving a wreck that has a story, and the Hartburn, sunk by a mine in 1917, definitely delivers on that front. Dropping down, you’ll find her upright on the seabed at 48 metres, quite intact for her age. The two large boilers are usually the first thing that resolves out of the murk, standing proud and covered in plumose anemones, often swaying gently in the current. It’s a big wreck, 92 metres long, so you won’t see it all in one dive, especially at this depth. We’d suggest focusing on the midships around the engine room, where the triple expansion engine is still recognisable, or exploring the bow section. Look for conger eels tucked into the darker recesses and jewel anemones adding splashes of colour to the rust. Visibility here can be hit or miss, typical for the English Channel, but when it's good, seeing the scale of her materialise from the blue is quite something. This is a dive for experienced wreck divers comfortable with deco, a proper deep exploration rather than a casual swim.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.364400, -2.050917
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: South Dorset

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 HARTBURN (PROBABLY)

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 HARTBURN (PROBABLY)

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