U 86 (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.517765, -0.565200
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
54m

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 (POSSIBLY)

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 (POSSIBLY)

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