HMS NEW DAWN - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS New Dawn, a drifter sunk in 1918, lies quietly at 32 metres, just off the Cornish coast. We love this wreck because it’s a proper piece of history, not just a pile of metal. You can still make out her lines, the bow pointing into the current, and that single boiler is a real focal point, now heavily encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. Dropping down, the visibility here can be a bit of a lottery – sometimes 10 metres, sometimes less – but that just adds to the atmospheric dive. Our favourite part is nosing around the stern, where you often find conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses, their heads poking out like grumpy old men. Look closely among the wreckage and you’ll spot nudibranchs, particularly lemon slugs, making their slow way across the rusting plates. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the quiet dignity of a well-preserved wreck and don't mind a bit of a rummage. Best tackled on a slack tide, otherwise, you're just flying past her.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.609010, -1.605907
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
32m

Marine Protected Area: The Needles

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 NEW DAWN

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 NEW DAWN

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