HMS PIGMY - Cornwall & Devon

HMS Pigmy isn't a deep dive, that's for sure. At a paltry two metres, it's more of a snorkel or a free-dive, but don't let the shallows fool you. This wreck, a former French vessel captured and renamed, holds a quiet history. She went down in 1805, caught on the Grunes aux Dardes reef in St Aubins Bay, and what’s left is scattered but atmospheric. We love exploring the spread of timbers, feeling the slight pull of the tide around your fins as you weave through the fragments. You won't find huge schools of fish here, but the smaller stuff thrives. Look for blennies peeking from crevices, crabs scuttling under planks, and anemones clinging to the barnacle-encrusted wood. It’s a gentle exploration, perfect for a calm day when the sun can really penetrate the water and light up the wreckage. Our favourite time to visit is on a slack tide, otherwise, you're fighting a bit too much current to appreciate the stillness of the site. It’s a subtle beauty, more about history and the small victories of marine life than dramatic coral or pelagics.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.152890, -2.154111
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Jersey Coast

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 PIGMY

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 PIGMY

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