HMS TULIP II - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Tulip II sits at a modest 17 meters, making her a really accessible wreck dive and one of our favourites in the Plymouth Sound. She’s not huge, just 26 metres long, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in character. Sunk by collision in 1918, this drifter vessel lies upright, largely intact, and has become a fantastic artificial reef. We love dropping onto her bow, where you can often spot conger eels poking their heads from pipes and crevices, their thick bodies disappearing into the gloom. The stern provides some swim-through opportunities into the old engine room, just be mindful of your buoyancy and any stray fishing line. Dogfish are regulars here, often found resting on the seabed around the wreck, and the superstructure is plastered in jewel anemones, a vivid splash of orange and pink against the green-grey steel. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, perfect for divers who enjoy poking around and appreciating the history, rather than just zooming past. She’s relatively sheltered too, making her a good option even when other sites are blown out.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.146423, -4.937721
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

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 TULIP II

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 TULIP II

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