HMS Formidable

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

East of Start Point

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 Formidable offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest reef 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

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Diving the HMS Formidable is a true journey into a piece of naval history, a sobering reminder of wartime losses. We typically approach this site when the tides are slack, making the descent more manageable, though you can still feel the pull around the deeper sections. What we love about the Formidable isn't just its size, though it's impressive, but the way the ocean has truly claimed it. You’ll find her spread across the seabed, broken into several large sections. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale of the hull plates and the massive gun turrets, now heavily encrusted. Schools of whiting often flicker through the darker interior spaces, and we’ve spotted impressive conger eels lurking in the deeper, more sheltered corners. The elegant cuttlefish are a frequent sight here too, their colours shifting as you pass. Our favourite part is navigating through the collapsed superstructure, where you can often spot thornback skates resting on the sand patches between debris. This dive is best for experienced wreck divers comfortable with colder water and potentially low visibility; it’s a proper exploration, not a gentle drift. Bring a good torch and take your time.