NECHES
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.
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
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to NECHES
Dive shops near NECHES
Sound Diving Limited
Teign Diving Centre
Plymouth Diving Centre
Edge Watersports
Reviews for NECHES
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)
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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