HMS Keith - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Keith, a B-class destroyer sunk in 1940, sits as a truly impressive wreck off the coast here. We love it because it’s still so intact, surprisingly so for its age and the sometimes-rough conditions it endures. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer size of the hull, stretching out into the gloom. Visibility here can be a game of chance, but when it’s good, you can make out the lines of the ship clearly, cannons still pointing defiantly. It’s a proper dive, one where you feel the history, the cold war materialising around you. We often find conger eels peering from every dark recess, their heads like old leather, and massive pollack drift in and out of the superstructure. It's a site that suits experienced divers comfortable with deeper wrecks and potential currents; there's plenty to penetrate for those with the right training and gear. Our favourite part? Exploring the bridge area, imagining the crew on watch, then looking for the anemones, bright oranges and pinks, that carpet the exposed metalwork. It’s a stark contrast, the grey steel softened by this explosion of colour. Dive this one on a slack tide for the best experience; it makes all the difference when you’re trying to appreciate the scale.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.079445, 2.446389
Type
wreck

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 Keith

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 Keith

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