HMS PIGMY

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Jersey Coast

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - HMS PIGMY offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.