WEST BAY - Cornwall & Devon

West Bay is one of those sites that just feels like history beneath the waves. You're not looking at a shiny, intact vessel here, but rather a low mound of iron, spread across the seabed at a comfortable 12 metres. We love it because it’s a proper archaeological dive; a protected wreck where the heavily concreted iron bars hint at a cargo lost to a storm, and you can pick out the shape of an old muzzle-loading bronze gun if you know where to look. It’s not about penetration or grand structures, it’s about discovery, about peering into the past. The real beauty here is how the sea has reclaimed it. Every iron bar is a miniature habitat, thick with dead man's fingers and anemones, providing shelter for crabs and blennies. Visibility in Lyme Bay can be variable, but on a good day, with a gentle swell, the ambient light filters down, creating a genuinely atmospheric dive. We'd suggest going on a slack tide to really take your time exploring the details. It's a dive that suits those who appreciate historical context and the quiet observation of marine life making a home on something forgotten.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.704056, -2.778469
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Marine Protected Area: West Dorset Coast

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 WEST BAY

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 WEST BAY

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