U 212 (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Alright, the U-212 (PROBABLY). It’s got that “probably” in the name for a reason, which just adds to the allure, doesn’t it? We’re talking about a German Type VIIC U-boat, sunk in 1944. It sits upright on the seabed at 54 metres, and it’s a big, imposing piece of history down there. Dropping down, the U-boat slowly takes shape out of the gloom. The conning tower is still largely intact, and you can really get a sense of its operational scale. The sheer size of the hull, encrusted with anemones and dead man's fingers, is impressive. Schools of bib and pollock often swirl around the superstructure, darting in and out of the torpedo tubes. It’s a proper expedition dive, no doubt about it, and you’ll need your trimix certs for this one. We’d suggest hitting it on a neap tide for the slackest water, as currents can pick up. Keep an eye out for the resident conger eels peeking from the deeper recesses.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.481583, -0.175967
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
54m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 212 (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 U 212 (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