wreck

Log This Dive

HMSM XE 8

Diving the XE8 is a real step back into naval history, and we love it for that quiet sense of significance. This isn't a huge wreck, but its story and shape are what make it special. She sits upright on a sandy seabed at 25 metres, and you get a real feel for her compact, operational design as you descend. The midget submarine, lost while being moored as a target in 1954, is remarkably intact. You can clearly make out the conning tower, the hydroplanes, and even some of the torpedo tubes. What really catches your eye, though, is how marine life has found a home here. Sponges paint the metal in oranges and purples, and we’ve seen plenty of conger eels poking their heads from inside, especially around the main hull. Look closely and you’ll find squat lobsters tucked into crevices. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully off the structure. It’s a dive that suits those who appreciate maritime heritage and don't need giant pelagics to be impressed. We’d suggest going at slack water; the currents can pick up, making it a less enjoyable rummage. Our favourite spot is hovering just off the stern, imagining the crew that once operated this ingenious, if slightly claustrophobic, vessel. It’s a genuinely unique wreck in UK waters.