HMS Wakeful - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Wakeful, an old V and W-class destroyer sunk in 1917, is a proper dive into history off the Cornish coast. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks that still feel like ships, not just piles of twisted metal, and Wakeful delivers. You drop down onto a remarkably intact bow section, often finding conger eels peering from every dark hole and schools of pollack swirling above the deck plating. Our favourite part has to be the gun mounts, still recognisable even after all these years, now encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. We’d suggest picking a slack tide for this one; the currents here can really rip through, making it a challenging dive even for experienced folk. Look for the prop shaft alley, it’s a tight squeeze but often yields a decent lobster or two. This site is a great pick for those who appreciate the story behind the steel, and who don’t mind a bit of a current.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.378887, 2.722778
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 Wakeful

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 Wakeful

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