wreck

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HMS ASAMA

The HMS Asama is a proper piece of history, just off the coast and lying in a shallow 9 metres. It’s an old trawler, requisitioned as a minesweeper in WWII and sadly sunk by aircraft in 1941. For us, that backstory gives it real character – you’re not just diving a lump of metal, you’re diving a wartime grave. What we love about the Asama is how accessible it is, even for newer divers, but it’s still fascinating enough to keep experienced wreck hounds happy. The wreck itself is reasonably intact, spread across the seabed, and you can still make out the main features of the ship. We've spent hours poking around the bow and stern sections, imagining it in its working days. Visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss, like much of the UK, but on a good day, the structure comes into sharp focus. Keep an eye out for plenty of conger eels in the nooks and crannies – they’re a common sight here – and the usual suspects like blennies and crabs making themselves at home amongst the plates. It’s a great site for a relaxed explore, especially on a slack tide, and a solid choice when you want a tangible link to the past.