HMS/m A1 - Cornwall & Devon

Diving a piece of history so close to shore is always a treat, and the A1 submarine definitely delivers. She’s Britain’s very first home-designed submarine, and seeing her mostly intact, lying quietly on the seabed at just 9 metres, is quite something. We love how accessible she is; it’s a brilliant dive for those newer to wreck diving or anyone looking for a relaxed bimble with a solid dose of historical intrigue. You can clearly make out the conning tower, the hydroplanes, and even her torpedo tube door. The A1 sits gently on a soft seabed, offering a fantastic habitat for local marine life. You’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into her nooks and crannies, and often, we’ve spotted various flatfish camouflaged on the sand right beside her hull. The low depth means light penetrates well, giving you good visibility to appreciate her lines, especially on a sunny day. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water to get the most out of exploring her features without any push, allowing you to really soak in the atmosphere of this pioneering vessel.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.742508, -0.921304
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Marine Protected Area: East Head West Wittering

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/m A1

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/m A1

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