HMS BLACKWOOD - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Blackwood is a proper deep dive, sitting bolt upright at 56 metres. We consider it a standout for a reason. This Captain-class frigate, a loan-lease from the US Navy, met its end in 1944. Dropping down, you’ll first hit the deck, then swim along her considerable length. At over 90 metres, it’s a big wreck. The turbines are still largely intact, a testament to her robust build. Visibility can be a real gamble here. On a good day, you might get 10-15 metres, and the light filtering down gives the wreck a moody, almost ghostly presence. On a murkier dive, the sheer scale of the hull emerging from the gloom is just as dramatic. We always advise timing your dive for slack water; the currents around here can be fierce, making for a challenging, if exhilarating, drift over the decks. Life has well and truly taken hold. Expect to find conger eels peering from every nook, their heads as thick as your thigh. There are often schools of pouting swarming the superstructure, and we’ve seen some hefty lobsters tucked into crevices. This isn't a dive for the faint-hearted or inexperienced, but for advanced technical divers, the Blackwood offers a genuinely rewarding exploration into a significant piece of wartime history. It’s a dive that stays with you, especially when you consider her story.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.208890, -2.242500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
56m

Marine Protected Area: West of Wight-Barfleur

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 BLACKWOOD

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 BLACKWOOD

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