HMS PRINCESS - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Princess isn’t some grand warship, but that’s precisely why we love her. She was a requisitioned yacht, sunk in 1940 after a collision, and now she sits upright at a very manageable 23 metres. For a UK wreck, she’s in remarkably good shape. We always find ourselves drawn to the stern, where the prop is often still visible, a little encrusted but unmistakably there. What really gets us about the Princess is the sheer density of fish. Pollack dart in and out of the superstructure, and if you take it slow, you’ll spot scorpionfish tucked into crevices. The deck is carpeted in jewel anemones, flashes of orange and pink against the muted steel. It’s a proper rummage, with plenty of small compartments to peer into, though penetration is best left to those with proper training and equipment. It’s a cracking dive for anyone comfortable with UK conditions and keen on seeing a bit of history come alive with marine growth.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.258194, -3.883508
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
23m

Marine Protected Area: Exmoor

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 PRINCESS

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 PRINCESS

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