HMS TORMENTOR

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Freshwater East Cliffs To Skrinkle Haven

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 TORMENTOR 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

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The HMS Tormentor, an R-class destroyer from 1917, now rests off the South Wales coast after sinking under tow in 1929. We find this wreck a genuinely atmospheric dive, particularly on a day with good visibility when the stern section looms into view. You drop onto the main deck, where the outline of her guns is still discernible, encrusted with dead man’s fingers and hydroids. Look for conger eels tucked into the collapsed sections of the hull, and schools of pollock often mill about the superstructure. The bow area is quite broken up, but the midships and stern offer more structure to explore. We’d suggest focusing on the stern for the most intact sections and marine life. It’s a site that rewards multiple dives, letting you piece together her story each time. This is a solid wreck dive for those comfortable with temperate waters and a bit of current.