LYMINGTON

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Morte Point

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) - LYMINGTON offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 6m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.