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Scuba Diving HMS Scylla Whitsand Bay
Regarded by most as being the first artificial diving reef in Europe, HMS Scylla is one of the best wreck dives along the Cornish coastline.
This dive guide contains the essential information for scuba divers heading out to the decommissioned Royal Navy Leander-class frigate "intentionally" sunk near Plymouth in 2004.
Best Diving Months in South West England
It's fair to say that sunken shipwrecks scuttled along the south coast rank among the best scuba diving in England.
Plus, the chequered seafaring history of the British Isles contributes to an abundance of rusty ruins that certified divers like to explore.
But here's the thing:
Sea temperatures rarely get above 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit) during the winter, and hover around 20° Celsius (68° Fahrenheit) in summer.
Some divers may be comfortable diving in a thick neoprene wetsuit in the warmest months (e.g. June through to the end of August).
Yet, most of the scuba shops in the South of England recommend wearing a drysuit and getting the PADI Dry Suit Diver certification or one of the PADI equivalent qualifications.
Pro Tip: This is particularly prudent when diving deeper than fifteen (15) metres (49 feet) and around any sunken wreckage if it's location is a significant distance from the shoreline.
Sea Life at HMS Scylla Dive Site
It's fair to say the marine life at many of the south west England dive sites will be similar to the diverse flora and fauna found at the HMS Scylla shipwreck.
So, apart from some amazing aquatic mammals (e.g. dolphins, whales, seals), the common marine animals and fish species that scuba divers and snorkelers can see, include:
- Bib fish (Trisopterus luscus)
- Blennies
Cuttlefish- Dahlia anemone (Urticina felina)
- Dead man's fingers coral (Alcyonium digitatum)
- Devonshire cup coral (Caryophyllia smithii)
- Foliose red algae
- Goby fish
- Jewel anemones (Corynactis viridis)
- Mussel spat (mussel larvae)
- Nudibranchs (sea slugs)
- Pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa)
- Plumose anemones
- Red sea fingers (Alcyonium glomeratum)
- Rosy feather stars
- Sea fan sea slug (Duvaucelia odhneri)
- Wrasses (e.g. ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse)
Getting to Whitsand Bay
The 3-mile stretch of soft sand at Whitsand Bay Beach makes it one of the best in South East Cornwall. Apart from surfing, it's also one of the popular south west diving destinations frequented by scuba divers.
The bay is about twenty four (24) miles from Plymouth (via route B3247) or only seven (7) miles from Plymouth if you use the Torpoint ferry.
You'll be making a boat dive either from South East Cornwall or from Plymouth. As a consequence of that, learning about the dangers of rip currents and having the Boat Diver Specialty certification are both highly recommended.
HMS Scylla dive site coordinates: 50°19.665 North, 004°15.162 West
Despite being decommissioned in 1993, the 113-metre long vessel was actually sunk "deliberately" on the 27th of March back in 2004. Since then, it has become one of the most developed man made underwater structures in the area.
HMS Scylla is thirteen (13) metres wide (about 43 feet) and the bow faces a southwesterly direction. After it came to rest, it settled almost perfectly upright on the seafloor in twenty three (23) metres of water. The top of the ship is about nine (9) metres below the surface.
And the best part?
It's a classic wreck diving site that's matured into a haven for fish life, coral reef formations, and kelp mats. Hence, this wreck diving destination is a favourite with divers who enjoy peering inside internal compartments of sunken historic ruins and taking underwater photographs.
By and large, the location is void of large tidal swings (e.g. 700 metres from the James Eagan Layne wreck). Thus, scuba diving around HMS Scylla tends to be a year-round activity, and the underwater visibility can be up to fifteen (15) metres (50 feet) - depending on the season.
Pro Tip: Wreck penetration (going inside a submerged structure) can be extremely hazardous unless you have the right equipment (e.g. the brightest dive torch) and the proper training to do so. Don't forget to stop for a tasty ice cream at Cawsand Beach after the dive.