U 1021 (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

We love a good mystery, and the U-1021 delivers. This isn’t a shallow, sun-dappled wreck; it’s a deep, dark dive at 48 metres, strictly for those comfortable with technical profiles and often chilly UK waters. Dropping down, you’ll feel the chill really bite, but the reward is worth it: a remarkably intact Type VIIC U-boat. Our favourite approach is to start midships, letting your eyes adjust to the gloom, then slowly moving forward. The conning tower is still prominent, a really eerie silhouette against the low visibility. You can make out the torpedo tubes if you’ve got a good torch and a keen eye. What really gets us about the U-1021 isn't just the history, though it's certainly there, a stark reminder of wartime, but how the sea has reclaimed it. Anemones speckle the hull like confetti, and we’ve often found conger eels peering out from open hatches, their heads like grizzled old men. Ling often patrol the deeper parts of the deck. This is a dive about quiet contemplation, about the sheer scale of the wreck emerging from the deep, and the resilient life that’s made a home on it. Don't rush it; take your time to really absorb the atmosphere.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.554535, -5.193917
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Marine Protected Area: Trevose Head

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 U 1021 (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 U 1021 (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