UK wrecks for novice divers

[suedunn]

I am looking for somewhere on the south coast where there are some wrecks of historical interest that are suitable for novice divers. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

[yazzyfooty]

My first wreck dive on south coast was the Fleur De Lyle (sp) down in Swanage. A fairly broken small wreck at 15 metres but plenty marine life on it. Reading my log book it says " shot line as busy as M25" which may be a slight exaggeration!

[royplumber]

Loanda

[Captain Deco]

depends on your depth really. I would say that the SS Kyarra in Swanage is a nice novice dive - I did it when fairly new to diving, and still love it.

Channel Diver in Brighton does some nice stuff that is reachable by AOW divers who want a nice wreck to pootle around on.

I am sure someone will be along in a minute to conform or deny, but I am sure there is some stuff worth diving in Weymouth as well - harbour stuff from ze war? I live too far away, but it rings a bell from when I did a course there a while back.

[Digger]

Divernet Top 100 wrecks is a good place to start. Read the stories, check out the locations, find a wreck you want to dive, then talk to some skippers locally who will help you out with how to go about diving them. Or speak to local clubs or the internet about it.

If you find a wreck you really want to dive I'm sure one of the more experienced members here will happily help you arrange a trip. Especially if you find something off the beaten path a bit, in which case I'll probably be along too.

Best to narrow down where on the coast you want to be. I could reccomend a dozen wrecks from Plymouth to Dover but it's easier to work out where you want to go and then we can suggest from there.

Digs.

[DanE]

Originally Posted by suedunn

I am looking for somewhere on the south coast where there are some wrecks of historical interest that are suitable for novice divers. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

All sorts are available

Round at Plymouth there is the James Egan Layne which is a lovely dive.

Heading east, there is the Baygitano at Lyme Regis, James Fennel on Portland Bill, the wrecks of Portland Harbour can be a nice dive, but sadly get silted very easily. The Countess of Erne, Dredger and Bombardion units are examples of what can be found within the harbour.

The Black Hawk at Lulworth is nice. There's a few round the IOW, but I can't remember them all... We've taken our ocean divers out on Lymington on Wight Spirit before.

Round at Selsey there is the Mulberry Units, which not strictly a shipwreck, is a gorgeous dive in less than 10m.

HTH,
dan

[purple vonny]

There are a couple in Portland harbour that are very easy. The Countess of Erne - a nice upright in tact 100-odd year old paddle steamer. And the jolly old Dredger , broken up but good for novices. There's also the Royal Adelaide just off Chesil Beach in about 15 metres.

As above poster said, there are some decent/shallow-ish wrecks from Swanage too.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by scubajay

depends on your depth really. I would say that the SS Kyarra in Swanage is a nice novice dive - I did it when fairly new to diving, and still love it.

I love the Kyarra, but it's 25m to 30m, so not somewhere I would be happy taking novices. The Fleur is a very small wreck in 12m to 15m. We tend to dive it and drift off. It's very busy with 12 divers on it, but fine with six.

Very good question though. I too would be interested in some other wrecks. The Luis in 15m (Portsmouth) is a nice dive.

Janos

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Janos

I love the Kyarra, but it's 25m to 30m, so not somewhere I would be happy taking novices. The Fleur is a very small wreck in 12m to 15m. We tend to dive it and drift off. It's very busy with 12 divers on it, but fine with six.

Very good question though. I too would be interested in some other wrecks. The Luis in 15m (Portsmouth) is a nice dive.

Janos

Yep Kyarra is way out of novice territory IMO.

Luis is a very good option. 5000 ton (thats big) and is in a pretty
sheltered spot that means good slack times.

Others on the same side.

HMS P12 & HMS Boxer
In the Solent itself the Margaret Smith
Then just outside past the Needles, the Fenna & The Serrana all about or
under 20m.

Slightly deeper westward Betsy Anna at about 25m.

Worth buying Dave Wendes book. Has loads in it.

[DanE]

Just remembered the Royal Adelaide off of Chessil beach. Chock full of Trigger Fish!

dan