LADY HAMILTON OF HELFORD - Cornwall & Devon

The Lady Hamilton of Helford is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. She’s not massive, just an 8.5-meter fishing vessel, but she’s become a proper little haven since going down in 2007. We love drifting over her deck, seeing the brass fittings and engine room still relatively intact. The visibility here can be decent, especially on a calm day with a high slack tide, letting you pick out the details. What makes her special for us isn’t just the wreck itself, but how quickly nature has taken over. You’ll find a surprising number of wrasse darting in and out of the wheelhouse, and often a decent sized conger eel has made a home in the deeper sections of the hull. Look closely and you’ll spot nudibranchs clinging to the superstructure. It’s a pretty easy dive, sitting at 22 meters, making it perfect for those keen to explore a real wreck without the drama of deeper, more exposed sites. Our favourite time to dive her is early morning; less boat traffic and the light filtering through the water just feels different.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.106834, -5.043250
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
22m

Marine Protected Area: Rosemullion

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 LADY HAMILTON OF HELFORD

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 LADY HAMILTON OF HELFORD

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