HMY VIVA 2
Protected Area
Kelsey Head
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - HMY VIVA 2 offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
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.
Typical HMY VIVA 2 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 59m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to HMY VIVA 2
Dive shops near HMY VIVA 2
Dive Newquay
Wavecrest Scuba
Seaways Diving
Harlyn Dive School
DiveUK
Karleyth Diving Ltd.
Reviews for HMY VIVA 2
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for HMY VIVA 2
HMY VIVA 2 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for HMY VIVA 2, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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