HMS EMPRESS OF INDIA (EX RENOWN) - Cornwall & Devon

The Empress of India, or Renown as she started life, isn’t just a hunk of metal on the seabed, she’s a proper piece of naval history. Dropping down to 42 metres, you hit the bow first, often into a mild current that pushes you gently along her length. We love the sheer scale of her; 115 metres long, you can spend a whole dive exploring just a fraction of the deck. What makes her special for us is how intact she is for a battleship scuttled in 1913. The gun turrets are still prominent, huge structures draped in dead man's fingers and anemones. Look closely in the gloom and you’ll often spot massive conger eels peering out from the deeper recesses. The site can be dark, even on a sunny day, so a good torch is essential for peering into the internal spaces. This is a dive for experienced wreck lovers, comfortable with depth and reduced visibility. When the conditions line up, it's one of the best battleship dives in the UK.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.495834, -2.965017
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
42m

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 EMPRESS OF INDIA (EX RENOWN)

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 EMPRESS OF INDIA (EX RENOWN)

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