LITTLE SLAM - Cornwall & Devon

Little Slam is one of those small, approachable wrecks we genuinely love, especially if you’re keen on getting a proper feel for an artificial reef without battling deep currents. It sits in a shallow eight metres, making it perfect for longer bottom times and a relaxed exploration. The fishing vessel went down in thick fog after a collision in '79, and now, over forty years later, it’s completely part of the seabed. You’ll find the 9.1-metre wreck lying on its side, fairly broken up but still very recognisable as a boat. We always enjoy poking around the remaining hull sections; they're thick with plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in even the slightest surge. Look closely for blennies peeking out of crevices and butterfish darting between the plates. It’s a site that really comes alive on a sunny day, when the light penetrates all the way to the wreck, highlighting the rusty oranges and greens of the growth. Our tip: go during slack water on a calm day; the visibility can be excellent then, and you'll get the best sense of the wreck's structure and resident critters. It’s a lovely, low-stress dive, ideal for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants to spend an hour observing the small, subtle world of a shallow UK wreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.744750, -0.479017
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 LITTLE SLAM

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 LITTLE SLAM

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