HMS BUCCANEER

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

South of Portland

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - HMS BUCCANEER offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 43m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The HMS Buccaneer is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. Lying at 43 metres, she’s a proper expedition, a serious dive for experienced wreck heads, but absolutely worth the planning. This former tug, accidentally sunk by shellfire in 1946, sits upright and largely intact. As you drop onto her, the sheer scale becomes apparent; 50 metres of steel, dark against the sometimes murky green water that’s so typical of UK diving. We love exploring her holds, dark caverns where the light just barely penetrates, and the way the superstructure still looms over the seabed. The triple expansion engine is a particular highlight, a tangle of pipes and machinery that’s surprisingly well preserved. We’ve often found conger eels here, huge, thick bodies wedged into the tightest spaces, watching you with an almost bored indifference. Look out for the nudibranchs too; colourful splashes against the rust, particularly on the more exposed sections. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in this part of the world, so pick your day carefully. Slack water is essential to truly appreciate the Buccaneer without battling the currents.