HMS TORRENT - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Torrent isn't your average upright wreck; she’s a proper war grave, broken and scattered, but that’s precisely why we love her. Lying in 57 metres, this auxiliary patrol vessel, originally a yacht named Anna-Marie, was sunk by a mine in 1941. We’ve always found these wartime wrecks incredibly poignant. Descending onto the site, you’ll find sections of hull, ribs, and machinery spread across the seabed, giving it a real archaeological dig feel. The depth makes it a technical dive, no doubt about it, but the visibility here can be surprisingly good, sometimes pushing 15 metres, which is brilliant for this part of the world. Our favourite parts are exploring the debris field, where you often find conger eels peering from behind twisted metal plates and schools of pouting swarming the more intact sections. Look closely for the smaller stuff too – often there are jewel anemones blanketing some of the metalwork, their colours popping in the torchlight. This site really suits divers who appreciate history and enjoy piecing together a story from the scattered remains rather than just finning around an intact structure. Give yourself ample bottom time to explore the full extent of the wreckage; it’s more spread out than you’d think.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.095455, -4.976049
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
57m

Marine Protected Area: Carricknath Point to Porthbean Beach

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 TORRENT

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 TORRENT

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