HMS Codrington - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Codrington is a proper journey back in time. We think this A-class destroyer, sitting off the Cornish coast, offers a real sense of scale. You drop onto the main deck, often finding a strong current pushing you along, and the whole wreck just spreads out beneath you. The bow section is our favourite, with its torpedo tubes still mostly intact, now completely encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. Look closely, and you'll spot conger eels poking their heads out of every available gap, and we’ve seen schools of pollack swirling around the superstructure like a silver cloud. This isn’t a shallow, easy dive; it can be dark down there, even on a sunny day, and the currents demand respect. But for those who love their history with a side of proper wreck penetration – and a torch is essential for peering into the compartments – the Codrington is superb. It’s a dive that rewards careful exploration, not a quick look-around.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.125557, 1.334444
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Dover to Kingsdown Cliffs

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 Codrington

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 Codrington

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