HMS Victory - Cornwall & Devon

The HMAS Perth wreck isn't just a dive, it’s a tangible piece of history sitting upright on the seabed off Sumatra. You drop down, and the sheer scale of this cruiser hits you. It’s a somber experience, knowing the fate of her crew in the Battle of Sunda Strait. We love exploring her gun turrets, still mostly intact, and imagining the chaos of that night. What makes the Perth special is how accessible her history feels. You can swim through parts of the superstructure, peering into what were once vital compartments. Corals have started to colonise the metal, soft dendronephthya corals and sponges adding splashes of colour to the grey steel. We've seen schools of fusiliers here, sometimes so thick they briefly block out the light filtering down from the surface. Look closely, and you’ll spot a few reef sharks patrolling the perimeter, and we’ve even come across giant groupers lurking in the shadows of the bow. It’s a dive that suits those with a deep appreciation for history and a love for exploring large, dramatic structures. Expect strong currents at times, which only adds to the adventurous feel.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.708332, -3.555000
Type
wreck

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 Victory

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 Victory

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