Wreck of SM U-8 - Cornwall & Devon

The SM U-8, resting in the often-chilly waters off the Cornish coast, isn't your typical colourful reef dive, but we think it's a profoundly atmospheric one. This isn't a site you descend onto expecting sun-dappled corals. Instead, you're dropping onto a piece of history, a Type U 5 submarine from 1911, sunk in the early days of World War I. What we love here is the sheer sense of scale and the way the sea has reclaimed it. As you descend, the shape slowly resolves from the gloom-a long, dark shadow on the seabed. There's an eeriness to tracing the lines of the hull, feeling the surge of the current against the metal. It’s a proper wreck dive, with plenty of nooks and crannies for resident conger eels, and often swarms of bib or pollack schooling around the superstructure. We’ve found the best visibility here usually follows a few days of settled weather, so keep an eye on the forecast. It’s certainly a dive for those who appreciate history and the silent power of the ocean more than a vibrant colour palette.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.933870, 1.256380
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Folkestone Pomerania

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 SM U-8

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 SM U-8

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