UB-74 (Wreck) - Cornwall & Devon

Diving the UB-74 off Portland is a real treat, especially on a day with good visibility. It’s not just a pile of metal; this German U-boat, sunk in 1918, lies remarkably intact on a sandy seabed at 36 metres. We love dropping down and seeing the distinctive shape emerge, the conning tower still standing proud. You can fin along the deck, peering into what’s left of the hatches and torpedo tubes. It’s a proper piece of history down there. The wreck has become home to plenty of life. We've seen conger eels poking their heads out from every dark corner, and massive lobsters tucked into crevices. The plating is coated in anemones and dead man’s fingers, adding colour to the grey steel. Our favourite part is exploring the stern, where the prop shafts are still visible, often surrounded by schools of pouting. It’s an intermediate dive, really, because of the depth and the potential for current, but if you time it right, it’s a captivating dive that tells a story. Just remember your decent torch; it gets pretty dim down there.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.520000, -2.544800
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
36m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: South of Portland

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-74 (Wreck)

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-74 (Wreck)

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