LYMINGTON - Cornwall & Devon

The Lymington is a genuinely charming dive, and we think it's often overlooked. Sitting in Lee Bay, it’s a very shallow wreck, just 6 metres deep, which makes it perfect for longer dives and even a great spot for newer divers to get comfortable with wreck penetration, given its broken-up state. She was a steamship, grounded back in 1890, and time has certainly done its work. You won't find a pristine, intact hull here; instead, it's a wonderfully scattered collection of frames, plates, and machinery. We love how the individual pieces are encrusted with jewel anemones, pops of orange and pink against the generally green-brown seabed. Look closely between the metalwork and you'll often spot spider crabs scuttling about, or a conger eel peeking out from a darker crevice. Our favourite detail has to be the exposed boiler, now a fantastic mini-habitat for blennies and gobies. Visibility here can be a bit variable, as with much of the UK, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering through the kelp, it's a genuinely atmospheric dive. We'd suggest timing your visit for slack water around high tide for the best conditions and minimal surge.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.200490, -4.176158
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Marine Protected Area: Morte Point

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 LYMINGTON

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 LYMINGTON

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