U 86 (FORMERLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the U 86, or what’s left of her, is a proper technical dive, and one we always enjoy for its history. She sits deep, around 53 metres, so plan your gas accordingly. We reckon she’s best suited for experienced wreckies, those who appreciate the story behind the metal as much as the dive itself. When you drop down, the sheer scale of this scuttled submarine starts to make sense. Built in 1916, she’s now largely broken up, but you can still make out the distinct sections – the pressure hull, conning tower remnants, and parts of the casing. It’s not a swim-through kind of wreck anymore, but we love picking apart the debris field, imagining her final moments in 1921. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of edible crabs tucked into the crevices, and we’ve often spotted conger eels snaking through the larger plates. Visibility down here can be a bit of a gamble, often swinging between 5 and 15 metres, so be prepared for a moodier dive. Our favourite part? Seeing how the sea reclaims these massive structures, turning steel into a canvas for anemones and hydroids. It’s a compelling dive into both history and marine colonisation.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.443800, -0.565900
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Offshore Overfalls

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 86 (FORMERLY)

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 86 (FORMERLY)

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