HMS DELIGHT - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Delight is deep, and we mean properly deep, but what a dive. Dropping onto her at 57 metres, you’re hitting the limit for most recreational trimix divers, so this is one for the serious technical crowd. She’s a D-class destroyer, bombed and sunk by German aircraft in 1940, and lies upright, mostly intact. We love how her huge turbines and quadruple shafts are still visible, a testament to her speed. You’ll weave through the skeletal remains of her superstructure, picturing the chaos of that day. Her gun emplacements are still there, silent sentinels, and the torpedo tubes are a highlight, giving you a real sense of her offensive power. Visibility here can be surprisingly good, but even on an average day, the sheer scale of the Delight is impressive. Look closely, and you’ll find plenty of plumose anemones clinging to the metalwork, their white tentacles swaying gently in the subtle current. This is a dive that demands respect, but for experienced wreck enthusiasts, it’s an absolute privilege.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.201390, -2.292778
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
57m

Marine Protected Area: West of Wight-Barfleur

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 DELIGHT

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 DELIGHT

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