U 275 (PROBABLY)

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Beachy Head West

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) - U 275 (PROBABLY) 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 52m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Diving the U 275 off Cornwall is a proper deep dive, best for those with some serious experience under their belts. This German Type VIIC U-boat, mined on March 10, 1945, lies at 52 metres, intact and brooding on the seabed. We love the sense of history here, a real tangible connection to the war, sitting upright as if still on patrol. What strikes you first is its sheer size and the way the sea has claimed it. The conning tower is still prominent, often swathed in schools of pollack, and you can swim the length of the deck, peering into open hatches that hint at what lies beyond. Dead man’s fingers carpet sections of the hull, and crabs scuttle in crevices, while dogfish often snooze in the sand nearby. Our favourite part has to be the stern, with its torpedo tubes still visible, a stark reminder of its original purpose. Visibility can be a bit variable out here, so pick a calm day with a neap tide for the best chance of a clear run. It's a challenging dive, certainly not for beginners, but for wreck enthusiasts, it’s an absolute classic.