HMS HAZARDOUS - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Hazardous is a proper piece of history, just poking out of the water at Bracklesham Bay. She’s shallow, obviously, with a maximum depth of 3m, so we’re talking snorkel or very easy dive territory here, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's boring. This isn't about huge pelagics or dramatic drop-offs; it’s about touching a fragment of the past. We love seeing the timbers still holding their own after all these centuries. You can make out the ribs of the hull, encrusted with barnacles and seaweeds that wave gently with the tide. It feels less like a wreck and more like an archaeological dig, exposed by the sea. Our favourite time to visit is on a calm, sunny day, when the light penetrates right down, illuminating the rusty anchor chains and what we think might be some old cannonballs. It’s perfect for those days when you want a relaxed dip, maybe with the kids, or if you're just keen to see something genuinely old and a little bit haunting without needing to gear up for a technical dive. You'll find blennies darting between the timbers and tiny crabs scuttling over the wood, a little ecosystem thriving on a 300-year-old warship.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.752230, -0.859317
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Bracklesham Bay

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 HAZARDOUS

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 HAZARDOUS

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