HMS DRAGON

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 DRAGON 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

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The HMS Dragon, resting off the Casquets, is a proper slice of history. She went down back in 1712, a 40-metre sailing vessel, and what’s left of her is a real testament to time and the sea. You’re not getting an intact ship here. Instead, it’s a debris field, scattered timbers and cannon, but that's precisely why we love it. There's a tangible sense of an old wooden warship, the sheer scale of the timbers impressive even after three centuries. We'd suggest a calm day with good visibility, not just for safety, but to truly appreciate the way the light filters down onto the spread of the wreck. Look closely at the gaps between the timbers, because that's where the conger eels like to hide, their heads poking out with surprising curiosity. We’ve also seen plenty of large wrasse cruising the site, and the occasional dogfish tucked away. It's a dive that rewards slow, deliberate exploration. You’re not just seeing a wreck; you’re touching a piece of naval history, feeling the cold, dark water around timbers that once sailed the world. This site is definitely one for the history buffs who enjoy a good rummage rather than a quick swim-through.