M 343 (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the M 343 feels like stepping into a cold war thriller, even if it’s a WWII wreck. She sits deep, around 38 meters, making this one for experienced wreck divers comfortable with limited bottom time and potentially strong currents. We love the dramatic silhouette she cuts against the gloom, a German minesweeper scuttled near St Malo but now resting off Cornwall. The wreck is largely intact, offering plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Expect to find conger eels peering from every dark opening, their thick bodies almost blending with the corroded metal. Schools of bib and pollack shimmer above the decks, darting in and out of the skeletal superstructure. Our favourite part is navigating the stern, where you can still make out the sweep gear, a stark reminder of her original purpose. Visibility can vary wildly here, but on a good day, the M 343 offers an atmospheric, challenging dive with a real sense of history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
48.982334, -2.384667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
38m

Marine Protected Area: Les Minquiers

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 M 343 (POSSIBLY)

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 M 343 (POSSIBLY)

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