HMS MELBREACK - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Melbreak sits deep off the Cornish coast, a proper technical dive at 48 metres. We love this wreck not just for its depth, but for the story it tells and the life that now calls it home. She was a Hunt-class destroyer, sunk by a mine in 1944, and you can still see the damage that sent her down. Dropping onto the Melbreak, you’re greeted by her intact bow section, often shrouded in schooling bib and pollack. We’ve had dives where the visibility was 15 metres, and others where it was barely five, but even in murkier conditions, her imposing structure emerges from the gloom. Look out for conger eels tucked into any available crevice, their heads poking out like curious residents. The stern, while more broken up, offers fantastic penetration opportunities for those with the right training and equipment. It's a site that demands respect and planning, but rewards you with a tangible piece of history and a thriving artificial reef. We always recommend a decent bottom time to properly appreciate her scale, but remember those decompression stops will add up.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.968300, -0.428100
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 MELBREACK

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 MELBREACK

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