HMS INSOLENT - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Insolent, a gunboat with a name that always makes us chuckle, lies in Portsmouth Harbour. It’s not a deep dive by any stretch, a mere meter at most, which makes it perfect for a snorkel or a shallow exploration on a calm day. We love that it’s so accessible, right there in the harbour, feeling a bit like a forgotten secret amidst the bustling activity. What you'll find is the skeletal remains of a vessel, surprisingly intact for something that’s been down since 1922 and then relocated. The metalwork is encrusted with barnacles, a rough, textured skin, and we often spot small crabs scuttling amongst the plates. Shoals of tiny fish, sometimes mullet, often hover over the structure, darting away as you approach. It’s not a site for grand coral vistas, obviously, but for a glimpse into history, a peek at the tenacious life adapting to an artificial reef in an urban setting, it's our favourite. You can trace its length, imagining its past life, while above, the modern world goes on.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.813126, -1.095070
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Portsmouth Harbour

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 INSOLENT

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 INSOLENT

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