M 343 (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The M 343, a German minesweeper scuttled off St. Malo in 1944, is a fantastic dive for those who appreciate a solid piece of history underwater. She lies at 29 meters, relatively intact for a wreck of her age, which we love. You'll descend onto a substantial, dark shape, the deck plates often draped in snaking kelp fronds, which gives it a wonderfully atmospheric feel. We often find this wreck surrounded by schools of small pollack, flickering silver in the ambient light. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into crevices and the occasional larger conger eel peeking from deeper sections – they're always a thrill. The sheer scale of the M 343 allows for some proper exploration; you can spend a good chunk of your bottom time investigating the various sections, imagining the vessel in her wartime role. Visibility here can be typical for UK waters, so come prepared for anything from a murky 5 meters to a brilliant 15. Our tip? Aim for slack tide; it makes navigating the wreck much more enjoyable without battling a current. This dive is definitely for the experienced wreck enthusiast, someone who appreciates the story behind the metal.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.020733, -2.254333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
29m

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 (PROBABLY)

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 (PROBABLY)

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