HMS WATERLILY - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Waterlily is a personal favourite for a reason. Sitting upright at 37 metres, this old wooden drifter is surprisingly intact, considering she’s been down since 1915. You can still make out her lines, the bow sweeping up from the seabed and the stern settling gently into the sand. We love dropping down and finding the deck, feeling the cool current pull us slowly along the length of her. Look for the single boiler standing proud midships, a dark, ghostly presence that’s become a home for conger eels and squat lobsters. Schools of bib often swirl around the superstructure, flashing silver in your torch beam. This isn’t a deep penetration wreck, but there are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore externally. Her wooden hull is covered in plumose anemones, creating a soft, feathery carpet that billows with the surge. It’s a beautiful dive, a real slice of history brought to life by the marine growth. Ideal for experienced divers comfortable with the depth and cooler UK waters, we’d suggest timing your dive for slack water to really appreciate the details without fighting the current.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.520416, -1.878133
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Marine Protected Area: Albert Field

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 WATERLILY

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 WATERLILY

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