HMS Acheron - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the HMS Kelly is a journey into history, plain and simple. We love this site not just for the wreck itself, but for the story it tells, sitting there off the coast of Crete. The K-class destroyer went down in 1941, a casualty of a Stuka dive-bomber, and while she’s broken in places, you can still trace the outline of a formidable warship. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale, even fragmented as she is. We often find schools of damselfish flitting through the skeletal remains of her superstructure, and we’ve had some fantastic encounters with loggerhead turtles cruising past the deck guns. The visibility here can be excellent, and the light filtering through to the deeper sections really adds to the atmosphere. For divers keen on exploring a piece of maritime history, who appreciate a wreck that’s been allowed to become part of the reef, the Kelly is a standout. It's a sombre, reflective dive, but utterly captivating.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.533333, -1.433333
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Compton Chine to Steephill Cove

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 HMS Acheron

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 HMS Acheron

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