HMS Prince Royal
Protected Area
Kentish Knock East
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 Prince Royal offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The HMS Prince Royal is one of those dives that feels like peeling back layers of history. It’s not about bright colours or big pelagics here; it's about the sheer gravitas of a 17th-century warship, slowly dissolving into the seabed. We love picking out the ghostly timbers, feeling the age of the wood in the dim light, imagining the stories it holds. You’ll spend your bottom time tracing the lines of what was once a majestic vessel, now a haven for crabs and lobsters tucked into every crevice. We’d suggest going on a calm day with good visibility if you can, it makes all the difference in appreciating the scale of it. This dive is perfect for history buffs and anyone who appreciates a wreck with genuine character, not just a steel hulk.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Reviews for HMS Prince Royal
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for HMS Prince Royal
HMS Prince Royal Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for HMS Prince Royal, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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