HMS TRUANT

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Les Ecrehous

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 TRUANT 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 30m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The HMS Truant isn't your average submarine wreck. We actually prefer it to some of the more famous ones nearby. This T-class beauty lies at 30m, and while she was on her way to the breakers, she decided to call it quits early. The result? A surprisingly intact wreck that feels like a proper journey back in time. You can swim along her full 83-metre length, starting at the bow, which points north. Her conning tower is still proud, a really impressive sight as it rises out of the gloom. Inside, the torpedo tubes are open to exploration, and we’ve spent ages just imagining the history. Look for the periscopes too, they’re often surrounded by clouds of bib and pollack. We’ve had some fantastic encounters with conger eels here, tucked away in the darker recesses, and even a few shy rays resting on the sand nearby. If you time it right, on a slack tide, the visibility can be excellent, and the light filtering through the open hatches creates a really moody atmosphere. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and a good rummage around a substantial piece of engineering. Bring a good torch, the interior can be dark, and always remember proper wreck penetration etiquette.