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U 86 (POSSIBLY)

The U 86, off the Cornish coast, is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. Dropping down to 54 metres, you feel the chill build, but then the form of the submarine starts to resolve from the gloom. It’s a huge, brooding presence on the seabed, testament to its scuttling back in 1921. We love exploring the conning tower area, it's often the most intact part, giving a real sense of scale. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery; on a good day, it's 10-15 metres, allowing you to appreciate the full length of the U-boat. Look out for the resident conger eels peeking from every opening – some of them are truly enormous. We'd suggest aiming for slack water, it makes the penetration dives, if you're qualified, much more manageable. The bow section is often the first to appear, silhouetted against the lighter water above, a truly atmospheric sight. This is a dive for experienced wreck divers, certainly not one for beginners. The depth and potential for current demand respect.