HMS Basilisk - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Basilisk, what a brute of a wreck. This B-class destroyer met its end in 1930, but it lives on as a spectacular dive in Cornish waters. We love how it's broken up, giving you distinct sections to explore. You'll drop down onto the bow, often with pollock darting through the superstructure, then follow the debris field back to the stern. Visibility can be a typical UK lottery, but when it's good, you can make out the scale of this warship. Our favourite part is poking around the engine room, if conditions allow penetration. The metalwork here is encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. Look for conger eels peering from every dark recess, and we've often seen spider crabs scuttling across the deck plates. This isn't a dive for the faint of heart; strong currents can sweep through, so pick your slack water window carefully. It’s definitely one for experienced wreck divers who appreciate the history and the sheer amount of life a century underwater can create.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.137780, 2.585000
Type
wreck

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 Basilisk

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 Basilisk

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