WAR HELMET - Cornwall & Devon

The War Helmet is one of our favourite Cornwall wrecks, a proper deep dive that still offers plenty to see. She went down in 1918, torpedoed by a German U-boat, and now rests upright on the seabed at 27 metres. You descend into a green gloom that clears around 15 metres, revealing her huge silhouette. The sheer scale is what gets you first; this was a big ship, 135 metres long, and you feel that bulk as you fin along her decks. What we love here are the details. Her twin boilers are still prominent, often swarming with pollack, and you can poke around the remains of the triple-expansion engines. Look for conger eels tucked into the darker recesses, their heads peering out, wary but curious. We've seen dogfish nosing around the debris field, too. It’s a proper historical dive, a poignant reminder of WWI, and suits experienced divers comfortable with deeper, darker conditions. Visibility can be patchy, but on a good day, when that green light penetrates, it's really something special. We always suggest diving on a neap tide for the best conditions.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.623350, -0.610050
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

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 WAR HELMET

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 WAR HELMET

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