HMS Brazen - Cornwall & Devon

For many, the HMS Brazen is our favourite wreck dive in Cornish waters, and it’s always a proper expedition. This B-class destroyer, sunk by an aerial mine in 1940, lies broken in two sections, an impressive skeletal outline against the often moody green water. We’ve found the bow section, with its torpedo tubes and deck guns, to be particularly atmospheric; the steel plates are now encrusted with dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones, creating a soft, textural layer over the hard lines of the warship. Descending through the thermocline and seeing the dark shape emerge is a real goosebumps moment. Inside, the engine room is penetrable for experienced wreck divers, offering tight squeezes and an eerie sense of its past. Look out for the resident conger eels, they're surprisingly bold here, and the shoals of pollock that swirl around the superstructure can be mesmerising. Current can be a factor, so we always plan our dive for slack water, ideally on a neap tide for the calmest conditions and best visibility. If you’re into proper historical wreck diving, this one’s a standout.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.018055, 1.287500
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Folkestone Pomerania

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 Brazen

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 Brazen

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