YMS 382

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

East of Start Point

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - YMS 382 offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 49m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The YMS 382 is a proper deep dive, a minesweeper sitting upright on the seabed at 49 metres. We love an upright wreck, and this one has some real character, even if it is a bit of a dark dive. Dropping down, the bow is often the first thing to emerge from the murk, still pointing defiantly into the current. You can follow the deck aft, past where the mine-sweeping gear would have been, now a playground for small conger eels and squat lobsters. Our favourite bit is the stern, where the gun mounting is still quite clear, encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. This isn't a dive for the faint of heart or the inexperienced; the depth means careful planning and gas management are key. But for those with the right training, the YMS 382 offers a tangible link to a wartime story, complete with a surprisingly intact structure to explore. Look closely in the hold, and you might spot a ling peering out, or the glint of a pouting school hovering over the deck. It's a challenging dive, but seeing that silhouette appear from the deep is always a reward.