UB 128 (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the UB 128 (possibly, as the classification suggests) is less about vibrant coral and more about connecting with a moment in history. It sits shallow, just 2 metres, so it’s less a dive and more a snorkel or a free-diving exploration. We love how accessible it is, perfect for those calm summer days when you just want to get wet and see something interesting without all the gear faff. This German submarine, deliberately sunk in 1921 as part of post-war experiments, is now a skeletal frame, barnacle-encrusted and draped in kelp. You can fin slowly along its 55.5-metre length, peering into what would have been the conning tower or imagining the torpedo tubes. The light filters through the green water, illuminating curious wrasse darting in and out of the rusted hull plates, and sometimes a cheeky crab will scuttle from a dark crevice. It’s a moody, reflective experience, a silent museum piece offering a different kind of beauty than a tropical reef. We’d suggest going at high slack tide for the best visibility, otherwise, the surge can really kick up the sediment.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.146420, -5.055487
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Swanpool

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 UB 128 (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 UB 128 (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