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HEMSLEY 1

The Hemsley 1 isn't your typical pretty reef dive, but we love it for its sheer historical grit. This old tanker, built in 1916, truly feels like a slice of maritime history frozen in time. She ran aground back in '69 on her way to the breakers, so you're seeing the end of her working life, not some dramatic wartime sinking. What you get is a really broken-up wreck, scattered across the seabed, which means plenty of nooks and crannies to poke around in. The hull plates are draped in dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones, creating these incredible textured tapestries. Ling often lurk in the deeper sections, and you’ll spot wrasse darting between the twisted metal. We'd suggest going at slack water to avoid any strong currents, as the visibility can be a bit challenging at times, but on a good day, the light filtering through the wreckage is quite something. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the stories ships tell, and don't mind getting up close with some real industrial archaeology.