HMS BOXER - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Boxer, lying flat on the seabed at 16m, is a fantastic dive for anyone keen on exploring a piece of naval history without the challenge of extreme depths. We particularly love her because she’s not just a pile of plates; you can still make out the distinct destroyer shape. Her bow and stern sections are largely intact, giving you a real sense of her scale, even a century after her collision with the *Ambulance Transpo*. We usually drop in and head straight for the twin shafts, which are surprisingly well-preserved, often shrouded in a shimmer of juvenile pollock. The boilers are a prominent feature mid-ship, now home to some impressively large conger eels – we’ve seen heads poking out that were thicker than a diver’s thigh. Look closely among the twisted metal for nudibranchs, especially the lemon variety, their vibrant colours a stark contrast to the grey steel. While visibility can be a bit hit or miss in the English Channel, the Boxer’s relatively shallow depth means you often get enough light to really appreciate the structure and the way life has reclaimed it. It's a proper wreck dive, perfect for those moving beyond just looking at reefs.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.629833, -1.107033
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Marine Protected Area: Bembridge Down

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 BOXER

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 BOXER

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