HMS NORTHCOATES - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Northcoates, a former trawler, lies at 26 metres, an accessible depth for many divers and a firm favourite for us when we’re in Cornwall. This isn't one of those wrecks where you’re just looking at a pile of scrap metal. She’s surprisingly intact, with a character all her own. You can still make out the superstructure, the bow pointing into the current, and sections of the deck, giving you a real sense of her former life as a minesweeper. We love finning along her length, imagining the cold December night she went down in 1944. There's a certain stillness here, a quiet power. What really makes her special, though, is how marine life has embraced her. Lobsters peer out from cracks in the metal, their antennae waving. We often spot conger eels in the deeper sections, thick as your arm, and the entire wreck is carpeted in jewel anemones, creating these incredible bursts of orange, pink, and purple against the dark steel. It’s a great dive for experienced wreck divers looking for a slice of history and some vibrant temperate water marine life. Visibility can be a bit variable, but when it’s good, the Northcoates truly shines.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.661865, -0.590050
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
26m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 NORTHCOATES

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 NORTHCOATES

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