53m
    Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom
    Skerries Bank and Surrounds

    NECHES

    Best months: Jul–Sep

    Protected Area

    Skerries Bank and Surrounds

    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) - NECHES 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 53m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The Neches is a proper deep dive, a huge American steamship sitting upright at 53 metres, and for us, it’s one of the best technical wrecks in Lyme Bay. Dropping down, you’ll find an intact bow and stern, with the midships collapsed, giving you some really interesting swim-throughs if you've got the training and the gas for it. We love the way the light filters through the collapsed sections, illuminating the thick carpets of plumose anemones and dead man’s fingers that cling to every surface. This isn't a dive for the casual enthusiast, though. You’ll need deep wreck experience, solid gas planning, and a calm head, because the currents can pick up, and that depth eats bottom time. Our favourite part has to be exploring the massive cargo holds; keep an eye out for resident conger eels tucked into the dark corners. Even on a dim day, the sheer scale of the Neches is impressive. It’s a dive that rewards careful planning and respect, leaving you with a real sense of its history, a snapshot of wartime maritime loss.

    Typical NECHES Dive Profile

    15m30m45m60mSafety Stop0m53m max~15 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Maximum depth 53m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

    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.

    Today06:3017:3411h 3m daylightGolden hour 16:49

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for NECHES

    NECHES Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for NECHES, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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