HMSM SWORDFISH - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the Swordfish is a proper journey back in time, a sombre but utterly fascinating trip. She’s a submarine, lost in 1940, lying upright at 37 metres with that classic streamlined profile still largely intact. We’ve always found it remarkable how the ocean slowly reclaims these vessels. On the deck, you’ll find a surprising amount of soft coral growth, particularly jewel anemones that shimmer under your torch, and then those deeper crevices and torpedo tubes are home to big lobsters and conger eels that peer out from the darkness. Our favourite time to dive her is on a slack tide, obviously, but specifically when there’s been a few days of calm weather; the visibility can really open up then, giving you a chance to appreciate her full length, all 57 metres. Take your time exploring the bow section, where the torpedo tubes are still visible. It’s a site that suits experienced divers comfortable at depth in UK waters, a genuinely atmospheric wreck dive that makes you pause and reflect.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.479744, -1.365848
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Marine Protected Area: Compton Chine to Steephill Cove

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 HMSM SWORDFISH

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 HMSM SWORDFISH

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