HMS M1 - Cornwall & Devon

There are bigger wrecks in Scapa Flow, sure, but for sheer accessibility and character, we love the *Grosser Kurfürst*. Sitting on its port side in about 30-35 metres, this König-class battleship feels like a sleeping giant. Dropping onto the hull, you often get that classic Orkney gloom, a beautiful, moody green light filtering down, and then the sheer scale of the ship just… appears. The open deck gun positions are our favourite to explore, cavernous spaces where you can really feel the history. Look for the wolf-fish tucked into crevices; they’re surprisingly common here and a real treat to spot. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes twenty metres, sometimes five, but even in murkier conditions, the structure is so grand it never feels claustrophobic. It’s an ideal wreck for those wanting to spend some proper bottom time exploring rather than just cruising over. Just remember your drysuit – it’s the North Sea, after all.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.983334, -3.933333
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Start Point to Plymouth Sound and Eddystone

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 M1

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 M1

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