HMS Hermes - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the HMS Hermes in the cooler waters off Cornwall is a proper adventure, a real piece of history waiting to be explored. This isn’t a shallow reef bimble; it's a deep, dark dive onto a Highflyer-class cruiser that settled here in 1919 after a collision. What we love about the Hermes is its intact structure, allowing you to trace the deck plan and imagine life aboard. Descending through the green, often silty water, the sheer size starts to become apparent. The bow is particularly striking, often draped in fishing nets, home to lobster and crab tucked into every crevice. We’d suggest focusing on the midship section, where the superstructure has collapsed into fascinating rubble, creating overhangs perfect for conger eels. Visibility can swing wildly here, so pick your day carefully, ideally on a neap tide for less current. It’s a dive for those comfortable with deeper UK waters, typically hitting 40m plus, and certainly one of our favourite historical wrecks in the area.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.105556, 1.838889
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Foreland

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 Hermes

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 Hermes

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