U 122 (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The U 122 is a proper deep dive, a real journey into history off the Cornish coast. At 53 metres, you’re looking at serious decompression time, so this one's for the experienced technical diver, no question. We love the eerie stillness down there, the way the light struggles to penetrate, making the wreck feel even more isolated. This isn’t some broken-up debris field; it's a remarkably intact U-boat, scuttled nearly a century ago. Gliding along her 82-metre length, you can still make out the conning tower, the torpedo tubes, even some of the deck guns. It’s heavy metal, a stark contrast to the colourful reefs we often chase. Instead of tropical fish, expect to see the wreck encrusted with plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the subtle current, like a ghostly choir. Big conger eels have made homes in the superstructure, their heads poking out from dark openings, watching you drift past. We always find ourselves pausing at the bow, trying to imagine the ship's final moments. Visibility can be hit or miss, but on a good day, when the water is green-blue and clear, the scale of the U-boat is genuinely impressive. Our favourite time to dive it is late summer or early autumn when the plankton blooms have cleared a bit. Bring good lights; you’ll want them to peer into the shadowed sections.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.204166, -1.439450
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Wight-Barfleur Reef

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 122 (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 122 (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