HMS HARSTAD - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Harstad, lying deep at 51 metres off the Cornish coast, is one of those wrecks that just gets under your skin. We've spent a good few decompression stops thinking about the story she tells. Built as the trawler Kos XVII, then pressed into service as a Norwegian minesweeper, she’s a small ship, only 36 metres long, but she’s full of character. You can still make out the bow mount and some of her structure, despite the years. She went down in 1943, and the cold, dark waters have preserved her surprisingly well. When the visibility is good, which we find is often the case outside of late summer, the sight of her masts reaching up from the seabed is quite something. We particularly love the wheelhouse area, where conger eels have found their permanent residence, and those big jewel anemones just add incredible splashes of colour. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, those comfortable with deeper profiles and managing their gas in low light. Expect proper UK diving – a bit of chill, a bit of current sometimes, but a genuinely rewarding wreck that feels like stepping back in time.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.403534, -3.022367
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
51m

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 HARSTAD

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 HARSTAD

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