UB 72
Protected Area
West of Wight-Barfleur
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) - UB 72 offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The UB 72, a German U-boat sunk by a British submarine in 1918, rests at a challenging 60 metres off the coast of Cornwall. This is a deep dive, making it one for experienced technical divers with proper training and gear. Down there, the 55.5-metre wreck lies surprisingly intact, a sombre time capsule of wartime history. We've found the conning tower still identifiable and the hull largely whole, now heavily colonised by jewel anemones and dead man's fingers. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the scale of the submarine is truly impressive, often patrolled by large bib and conger eels peeking from crevices.
Typical UB 72 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 60m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
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.
Reviews for UB 72
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for UB 72
UB 72 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for UB 72, 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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