HMS HAZARD - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Hazard, a former torpedo gunboat, holds a special place in our hearts when diving the UK's south coast. She sits upright at 30 metres, a substantial wreck at 76 metres long, and we love how intact she feels for a vessel that’s been down since 1918. Descending onto her deck, you can still make out the outline of her four boilers, now heavily encrusted, and the twin triple-expansion engines are a fascinating sight. It’s a proper dive into history, feeling the cold Atlantic water around you as you explore the remains of her superstructure. We’d suggest planning your dive to coincide with slack water, as currents here can really rip. You'll find plenty of life too, with dogfish often tucked into crevices, conger eels peeking out from pipes, and jewel anemones adding bursts of colour to the dark metal. The Hazard is a fantastic spot for experienced wreck divers looking for a substantial, explorable piece of naval history, without the crowds of some more accessible sites. Just remember your decent torch – it gets dark down there.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.729700, -1.055300
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Marine Protected Area: St Helen's Duver & Priory Wood

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 HAZARD

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 HAZARD

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