HMS KERYADO (PROBABLY)

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - HMS KERYADO (PROBABLY) offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 34m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Let’s be honest, calling it "HMS Keryado (Probably)" tells you a lot about diving UK wrecks. But don't let the uncertainty fool you; this trawler, which went down in 1941, is a proper dive. We’ve had some cracking dives here, even if it does mean dealing with the chill of a Cornish winter sometimes. At 34 metres, it's a dive for those comfortable with depth and a bit of a current. The wreck itself is largely intact, with the bow section often the first thing to emerge from the murk. You can fin along the decks, imagining the life on board before it hit that mine. We’ve found conger eels tucked into every dark corner, sometimes peeking out with surprisingly large heads. Dogfish often rest on the seabed nearby, undisturbed. It's a proper British wreck dive, moody and atmospheric, with the cold green water adding to the sense of history. Our favourite time to visit is on a slack tide, gives you more time to explore without fighting the flow. It’s not about vibrant corals here, but the sheer volume of life that takes refuge in the steel structure, and the quiet satisfaction of touching a piece of wartime history.