U 8
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 8 offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The U 8, a German U-boat sunk in 1915, lies upright on a sandy seabed at 25 metres. She’s largely intact, a real time capsule, with her conning tower still standing proud and torpedo tubes visible at the bow. Currents here can pick up, so we always check the tides before jumping in, but the visibility often makes it worthwhile. You’ll find plenty of resident bib, wrasse, and even conger eels tucked into the superstructure, a testament to how quickly these artificial reefs get colonised. It’s a dive for those who appreciate maritime history and don’t mind a bit of a chill; a drysuit is definitely our preferred kit for exploring her.
Typical U 8 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 25m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
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 U 8
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for U 8
U 8 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for U 8, 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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