HMS GOSSAMER - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Gossamer, sitting straight up at 59 metres, is one of our top picks for deep wreck diving off the UK coast. She’s an old minelayer, built in ’39, then scuttled as a target in 1970. What you get now is a beautifully intact hull, about 34 metres long, with a really satisfying amount to explore. You can still make out the forward gun mount, and the twin engines are a particular highlight for us – they’re quite impressive, sitting upright and open. We’ve always found a surprising amount of life down there, considering the depth. Conger eels often peek out from under plates, and the wreck itself is fuzzy with colourful jewel anemones and dead man’s fingers. The deep, dark water often gives it a quite eerie, almost reverent feel, especially when the light barely filters down. It’s definitely one for experienced technical divers, given the depth, but the reward is a genuinely absorbing dive on a very characterful wreck. Try to hit it on a slack tide, otherwise, the current can make the descent and ascent a bit of a slog.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.108470, -2.257361
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

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 GOSSAMER

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 GOSSAMER

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