LST 496
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) - LST 496 offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The LST 496, sitting upright at 23 metres, feels like a submerged time capsule from a pivotal moment in history. We love that you can really get a sense of its original purpose, this massive landing craft that met its end just after D-Day. You drop down onto the bow, often finding the deck swarming with bib and pollock, then glide along the main deck, imagining the tanks and trucks it once carried. Below deck, the sheer scale is impressive; large open spaces are now home to conger eels, some genuinely huge, peering out from every nook and cranny. The visibility can be variable, but on a good day, the structure itself is so immense and intact that you can spend an entire dive exploring its length, often finding inquisitive dogfish tucked into the sand nearby.
Typical LST 496 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 23m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
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.
Reviews for LST 496
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for LST 496
LST 496 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for LST 496, 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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