HMY VIVA 2 - Cornwall & Devon

The HMY VIVA 2 isn’t a shallow splash, clocking in at 59 metres. It’s definitely one for the experienced trimix divers, offering a proper technical challenge and a rewarding deep dive. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks with a story, and the VIVA 2, a requisitioned anti-submarine yacht sunk by aircraft during WWII, has that in spades. Dropping onto her, you’re often greeted by the dim light filtering through the green water, giving the whole site a wonderfully atmospheric feel. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes twenty metres, sometimes closer to five, so picking your day is key. When it’s good, you can make out the elegant lines of the yacht, still largely intact despite her age. We’ve spent hours exploring her decks, picking out details like portholes and the remnants of her superstructure. There are usually plenty of conger eels making their homes in the deeper sections, and we often spot spider crabs scuttling across the growth that’s started to colonise the metalwork. It’s a quiet, humbling dive, a real journey back in time. We’d suggest going with a local charter that knows the currents well; they can be tricky.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.489864, -5.500911
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

Marine Protected Area: Kelsey Head

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 HMY VIVA 2

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 HMY VIVA 2

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