HMS Niger - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Niger, sitting off the Lizard in Cornwall, is one of those wrecks we return to again and again when we’re in the area. It’s an old torpedo gunboat, sunk by a mine in 1915, and she’s broken up now, but that’s part of her charm. We love weaving through the skeletal remains of her bow and stern sections. You’ll find some great swim-throughs here, manageable even for divers who aren’t big on penetration. The wreck acts like an artificial reef, of course, drawing in all sorts of cool stuff. Expect to see plump lobsters peering out from under twisted metal plates, and conger eels, some of them proper monsters, coiled up in the darker nooks. The light here, especially on a sunny day, filters through the water in a way that gives the whole site a moody, historic feel. Visibility can be a bit variable, as it often is in the Channel, but on a good day, it’s just magical. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide, otherwise, you’ll be working a bit too hard to enjoy the details. It’s a great dive for anyone comfortable with slightly cooler water and a bit of history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.220554, 1.440000
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Dover to Deal

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 Niger

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 Niger

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