HMS BITTERN (PARTS OF)(PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the *Bittern* is always an adventure, and yes, the "probably" in the name just adds to the charm. Dropping to 54 metres, this C-class destroyer, sunk after a collision in 1918, is a deep dive, making it one for experienced technical divers. We love the way the wreck has settled, largely intact, offering glimpses into its past. You can still make out the twin shafts and the general lines of her hull, often draped in thick layers of plumose anemones, their tentacles swaying gently in the current. The *Bittern* is a proper historical dive, not just a pile of scrap. We find the bow section particularly compelling, sometimes with schooling pollack darting through the rusted plating. Visibility can be a bit of a gamble here, typical for the Channel, but on a good day, when the light penetrates, the sheer scale of the wreck at that depth is something else. Our favourite moments are often spent just drifting along the deck, imagining her 12-pounder guns and torpedo tubes, now long gone, but the ghosts of them remain. Keep an eye out for conger eels tucked into any available crevice; they’re often bigger than you’d expect. This site really suits divers who appreciate the history as much as the challenge of a deeper wreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.302032, -3.001383
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
54m

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 BITTERN (PARTS OF)(PROBABLY)

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 BITTERN (PARTS OF)(PROBABLY)

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