Explore Devon

Diving in Devon, affectionately known as Devonshire, offers a unique and diverse underwater experience that appeals to both novice and seasoned divers. Nestled between the Celtic Sea and the English Channel, Devon provides a vibrant marine landscape that is as varied as its coastal geography. In the south, divers can explore an impressive array of shore diving opportunities teeming with marine life. The rocky reefs, bustling with colorful fish and intricate coral structures, are a delight for macro photography enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the hundreds of shipwrecks scattered along the coast offer a fascinating glimpse into history, with visibility ranging from 5 meters/16 feet to 20 meters/66 feet depending on conditions.

In the north, boat trips to Lundy Island present an unmissable chance to swim alongside playful seals and discover the island's rich marine biodiversity. Frequent departures from Ilfracombe make it easy to reach these captivating sites. The southern departure points, including Plymouth, Torquay, Dartmouth, and Teignmouth, offer convenient access to both reefs and wrecks, ensuring that divers can experience the best of Devon's underwater wonders. With its stunning natural scenery, welcoming beaches, and the cultural richness of Plymouth Sound, Devon truly stands out as a compelling dive destination, making each dive a memorable adventure.

Places to Explore

Plymouth

19 Divesites 2 Centers

The Plymouth area of Devon is a great area for diving, known for its good mix of reefs and shipwrecks.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Talland Bay

Talland Bay in Cornwall offers a great dive for beginners or those just wanting to dive from the shore. There’s also a wreck in Talland Bay; the Marguerite which lies in shallow water between the two main beaches.

★★★★☆ Mewstone East

10 minutes from Plymouth Breakwater by RIB, lies the Mewstone - a distinct mountain-shaped rock that shelves down to the seabed. This means the area has hardly any silt compared with the rest of the local area, leading to excellent visibility. During spring tides you can often get a strong drift in this area.

★★★★☆ Crown Hill Bay

This site is the third of three beaches at Bovisand. Parking available and the beach is accessed by steps leading down. The conditions are perfect for beginner dives, yet there is still plenty to see for even the most experienced diver or keen photographer.

★★★★☆ Bovisand Bay

Bovisand has a series of three bays, and Bovisand Bay is the first. There is plenty of parking (paid), and the beach is easily accessible via a path and steps down. These bays are perfect for beginners and usually sheltered, yet there’s enough to keep even the most experienced diver occupied.

★★★★☆ James Egan Layne

The James Eagan Layne was hit near the Eddystone reef and towed by Admiralty tugs towards Plymouth in an attempt to save as much cargo as possible. However, on her way back in, the stern collapsed causing her to sink in Whitsand Bay, where she now rests in an upright position on a sandy seabed.

Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★☆☆ Hallsands

Hallsands is a gentle shore dive 30 miles east of Plymouth. This dive site is suitable for novices and training dives, yet still provides plenty of interest for any level of diver.

★★★★☆ Thurlestone Beach

Thurlestone Beach is a kind open water dive site with the advantage of having the wreck of the Louis Sheid accessible from shore. A fun dive for all abilities.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Challaborough Bay

Challaborough Bay is a beautiful dive site on the shores of Challaborough, just opposite Burgh island. The dive is perfect for beginners and is even a great site for snorkelling in the summer.

★★★★☆ Stoke Beach

The seabed off Stoke Point and to the west could well be described as South Devon’s “Sponge Gardens”. There are depths to suit novice divers but the best rock formations and wildlife are deeper than 20 m below low water level.

★★★★☆ Glen Strathallen

On 27th April 1970, the Glen Strathallen was towed out of Plymouth and sunk just off the Shag Stone in approximately 15m of water. Today you can still find the wreck on the sandy bottom.

★★★★☆ Hand Deeps

The visibility is usually fantastic as the site is 9 miles offshore and swept with clean water constantly. The diversity of sea life supported by this reef is staggering and combined with the sheer size of the drop-offs and walls makes this a favourite site to all who visit.

★★★★☆ Heybrook Bay

Heybrook Bay is a shore about 3 miles by road from Bovisand. There is a coastal path down a river to the water’s edge where there is a small rocky beach. At high tide, the depth is around 9m and at low tide, the depth is around 3m.

★★★★☆ Shag Stone

This reef can be reached by RIB from Fort Bovisand. The stony seabed is a mixture of green and purple pebbles with perfect seaweed gullies that could be straight from a fish tank. Marine life includes dogfish, rays, wrasse and crabs.

★★★★☆ Panther Shoal

What makes this location interesting, apart from the marine life, is that Panther Shoal lies directly between the firing line and fall of shot from both Fort Picklecombe and Breakwater Fort. As such, the observant diver can find cannonballs and so on, which litter this area.

Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Cawsand Bay

Cawsand and Kingsand Bay are both on the western side of Plymouth Sound in Cornwall and can both be done as shore dives, with parking 200m from the beach. Further out on the outcrop of Cawsand, close to the old boat slipway, is a great drift dive as the current moves out of the bay.

Diving in Devon

Devon offers a diverse array of dive sites that cater to both novice and experienced divers. Notable wreck dives include the "Moldavia" and "Persier," which are popular for their historical intrigue and thriving marine life. These submerged vessels are home to an array of fish species, providing a fascinating glimpse into underwater ecosystems. For shore diving enthusiasts, the shores around Babbacombe and Thurlestone offer easy access to vibrant reefs teeming with life. Night dives in these areas reveal unique behaviors of marine organisms, creating unforgettable experiences. While liveaboard options are limited, shore dives offer ample opportunities for exploration, making Devon a well-rounded destination for dive travelers.

The best Months to dive in Devon

Diving in Devon offers a variety of experiences throughout the year, with conditions influenced by seasonal changes. Winter water temperatures typically range from 8°C–10°C/46°F–50°F, while summer sees temperatures increase to 15°C–18°C/59°F–64°F. Visibility can vary significantly due to weather and sea conditions, generally ranging from 5 to 15 meters/16 to 49 feet.

Wind and currents are important factors to consider, with the summer months offering more stable conditions. Despite being possible year-round, diving is less favorable during the winter due to colder water and reduced visibility. Spring and autumn can also present challenging conditions, so planning around these factors can ensure a safer and more enjoyable dive.

Centers Map

Sound Diving

Passage House watersports centre, PL4 0RW Plymouth, GBR

Dive Looe

7 Buller Street, PL13 1AS Looe, GBR

Explore Devon

Places to Explore

Plymouth

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Talland Bay

★★★★☆ Mewstone East

★★★★☆ Crown Hill Bay

★★★★☆ Bovisand Bay

★★★★☆ James Egan Layne

★★★☆☆ Hallsands

★★★★☆ Thurlestone Beach

★★★★☆ Challaborough Bay

★★★★☆ Stoke Beach

★★★★☆ Glen Strathallen

★★★★☆ Hand Deeps

★★★★☆ Heybrook Bay

★★★★☆ Shag Stone

★★★★☆ Panther Shoal

★★★★☆ Cawsand Bay

Diving in Devon

The best Months to dive in Devon

Statistics

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Sound Diving

Dive Looe