HMS WILNA - Cornwall & Devon

The HMS Wilna is a proper piece of history, and it's easily one of our favourite shallow wrecks in the UK. We’re talking about a trawler sunk by German aircraft in 1941, sitting upright at 15 metres. You drop down onto the deck and it's still surprisingly intact, a real testament to its build. We love the way the light filters through the green water here, illuminating sections of the deck, sometimes catching a glint off a conger eel peeking from a pipe. You can nose around the superstructure, peer into what were once cabins, and really get a sense of the vessel’s past. It's not a massive wreck, so you can take your time, exploring every nook. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into crevices, some colourful jewel anemones clinging to the metalwork, and often a decent school of pollack milling about the mast. It’s a great site for photographers, especially if you catch it on a sunny day with good visibility. For divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of chill, it’s a rewarding dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.678585, -0.927637
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Utopia

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 WILNA

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 WILNA

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