HOPPER BARGE NO.42 - Cornwall & Devon

Hopper Barge No. 42 is one of those unexpected, satisfying dives in Lyme Bay, especially when you’re looking for a relaxed potter. Sunk in 1913, she sits upright on the seabed at a comfortable 13 metres. It’s perfect for a second dive or if you’ve got newer divers in the group. We love how the wreck is just broken enough to allow for interesting swim-throughs without feeling like a jumble of twisted metal. You can easily spend 40 minutes here, weaving through the hold and around the main structure. Schools of bib and pollack often hover above the deck, while blennies and gobies peer out from cracks in the hull. Look closely amongst the kelp and you'll spot crabs scuttling about, and we’ve even come across small cuttlefish hunting here. The visibility can be variable, as is typical for the English Channel, but on a good day, with a bit of sunshine filtering down, the light plays beautifully off the encrusted steel. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents here can pick up, making it a less enjoyable explore. It’s a real charm of a wreck, unpretentious but full of life.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.335617, -4.159583
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
13m

Marine Protected Area: Plymouth Sound Shores and Cliffs

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 HOPPER BARGE NO.42

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 HOPPER BARGE NO.42

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