Wreck of HMT Arfon - Cornwall & Devon

The Wreck of HMT Arfon holds a special place for us, a tangible piece of history sitting upright at 35 metres. When the visibility is good, which is often surprisingly decent in this part of Cornwall, the trawler comes into view slowly, almost eerily, as you descend. We love drifting along the deck, picking out the details – the impressive 6-pounder gun still mounted on the bow, a solemn reminder of its wartime role. It’s a great dive for divers comfortable with depth, allowing plenty of time to explore the bridge area and the surprisingly intact stern section. The Arfon has become a fantastic artificial reef. We’ve seen conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating, their thick bodies camouflaged against the rust. Lobsters tuck themselves into crevices, and the sheer number of jewel anemones covering almost every surface is incredible, painting the metalwork in a thousand tiny, vibrant colours. Our favourite spot is the stern, where you can often find large schools of pollack circling the structure, their silver scales flashing in the ambient light. It’s a powerful dive, especially knowing its story, and a real standout for UK wreck diving.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.543003, -2.059312
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m

Marine Protected Area: Purbeck 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 Wreck of HMT Arfon

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 Wreck of HMT Arfon

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