HARTLEPOOL (PART OF) - Cornwall & Devon

The Hartlepool is a fascinating, if somewhat humbling, dive. She was torpedoed by an E-boat in 1940 and what’s left of her is very broken up and scattered across the seabed. Don’t come expecting an intact vessel; this is more of an archaeological treasure hunt. We love poking through the debris field, trying to piece together the ship's story from the twisted metal and scattered plates. At 10 metres, it's a shallow dive, perfect for extended bottom times and really taking your time to explore. Visibility here can be a bit variable, so we always check the local conditions – aim for a calm day with a neap tide for the best experience. Even on murkier days, the sheer volume of life that has colonised the wreck parts is impressive. Crabs scuttle under every crevice, lobsters peer out from larger sections of hull, and we’ve often seen schools of pollack hanging motionless above the larger sections of scattered steel. It’s a dive that rewards careful inspection and a curious mind, a real window into wartime history now reclaimed by the sea.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.607468, -2.431117
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Chesil Beach and Stennis Ledges

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 HARTLEPOOL (PART OF)

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 HARTLEPOOL (PART OF)

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