HMS Charybdis - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Charybdis is a monster of a wreck, a Dido-class cruiser sunk in 1943 off the coast of Lyme Bay. We love it because it’s not just a collection of twisted metal; it’s still very much a ship, albeit one that’s been on the seabed for eighty years. Descending through that deep green water, the sheer scale starts to emerge, a vast silhouette taking shape. You’ll find the bridge structure still largely intact, allowing for some incredible swim-throughs if you’ve got the right training and a good guide. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the gun turrets still point defiantly skyward, now encrusted with plumose anemones that pulse gently in the current. Look closely amongst the soft corals and you’ll spot conger eels, huge ones, peering out from every nook and cranny, along with the usual cast of wrasse and blennies. It’s a proper expedition dive, definitely for experienced cold-water wreckies comfortable with deeper profiles and potentially strong currents. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide for the best chance to really appreciate the scale without battling the flow. It’s a humbling, almost eerie dive, a real piece of history colonised by the sea.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
48.983334, -3.650000
Type
wreck

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 Charybdis

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 Charybdis

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