Here is a list of positions, depths and slack times for some dive sites in South Devon and beyond. If you have any additions or amendments to make to this list then please email the diving officer.
Note that slack water times are relative to high tide at the specified port. All positions expressed to three decimal minutes are WSG84 positions which have been verified by Totnes BSAC. Other positions are older and may be expressed to two decimal minutes or in degrees, minutes and seconds.
Slack times quoted are the beginnings of the slack. The duration of the slack is often dependent on whether the tides are Spring, Neap or in between. If it is important then this can be worked out with Tidal Diamonds on the relative chart.
HW Torbay is HW Devonport +35mins
HW Dartmouth is HW Devonport +30mins
HW Salcombe is HW Devonport + 10mins
Name | Position | Depth | Slack before HW (hrs) | Slack after HW (hrs) | Duration (mins) | Port | Comments | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aircraft at Challaborough? | 50 16.420 - 03 54.830 | 20 | South Devon reef | |||||
Alternative Rutts | 50 13.740 - 03 57.330 | 18 - 34 | South Devon reef | |||||
The Ambassador | 50 11.529 - 03 49.782 | 51 | 1.5 - 2.0 (neap) 2.5 - 3.0 (springs) | 3 | Salcombe | Similar to Skaala. Note that slacks vary according to neap or springs | South Devon wreck | |
Anchor Reef | 50 12.714 - 03 54.533 | 30 - 45 | South Devon reef | |||||
Ann Marie | 50 27.38N - 003 27.34W | 27 | 2 | 3 | Torbay | Lyme Bay wreck | ||
Barge | 50 16:32 - 04 01:85 | ? | South Devon wreck | |||||
Barn Pool | 5-40 | HW | HW | 45-75 | Devonport | Slack is -30 to +15 on springs; -45 to +30 on neaps | South Devon reef | |
Baychattan | 50 11.443 - 03 42.110 | 60 | 3-4 | Salcombe | There's no slack before HW | South Devon wreck | ||
Benton Castle | 35 | 2 | 3 | Dartmouth | Best viz after HW | South Devon wreck | ||
Berry Head dropoff | 35 | 2 | 4 | Torbay | Best done at slack. | South Devon reef | ||
Blackstone point | 50 17.537 - 04.03.474 | 12-24 | South Devon reef | |||||
Bleamoor | 50 22.45N - 003 25.18W | 43 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
Boma | 50 32.163 - 03 14.330 | 33 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
The Bretagne | 50:29:490 - 03:22:698W | 25 | 2 | 4 | Torbay | Diveable at many states of the tide, but best on slack after HW | Lyme Bay wreck | |
Burgh Island | 50 00.41N - 05 07.34W | 25 | Challaboro' | Diveable at any state of the tide | South Devon reef | |||
Cantabria | 10 | Salcombe | Calm water is needed for this dive - any swell ruins the dive | South Devon wreck | ||||
Cattons (5 mile reef) | 50 09.647 - 03 53.556 | 30 - 60 | South Devon reef | |||||
The Charlwood | 50 11.431 - 04 22.106 | 63 | South Devon wreck | |||||
City of Swansea | 50 28.52N - 003 11.25W | 40 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
Cod Rock | 20+ | Torbay | South Devon reef | |||||
Dartmouth Submarine | 52 | 2.5 | 3.5 | Dartmouth | Best viz on slack after HW | South Devon wreck | ||
Dartmouth Tug | 15 | Dartmouth | South Devon wreck | |||||
Devil's Point | 35 | HW | HW | Devonport | Slack is -30 to +15 on springs; -45 to +30 on neaps | South Devon reef | ||
Draystone | 15-25 | 2 | 2 | Devonport | South Devon reef | |||
Dudley Rose | 50 23.41N - 003 26.24W | 35 | 2 | 4 | Torbay | Poor slack/viz on before HW slack | Lyme Bay wreck | |
Dutch Tug | 50 20.250 - 03 31.283 | 17 | South Devon wreck | |||||
Earlstone | 0 | South Devon reef | ||||||
East Rutts | 50 13.459 - 03 58.907 | 12-40 | 2.5? | 2.33 | Salcombe | If not slack then be careful which side of the Rutts you place your divers | South Devon reef | |
Eastern Blackstone | 0-30 | 2 | 3 | Dartmouth | Usually a sheltered place somewhere | South Devon reef | ||
Eastern Kings | 10-30 | HW | LW | Devonport | Diveable in most states of weather. Slack is -30 to +15 on springs; -45 to +30 on neaps | South Devon reef | ||
Eddystone Lighthouse | 50 10.900 - 04 15.680 | 8-40 | 3-4 | 2-3 | Devonport | Diveable somewhere at any state of the tide | South Devon reef | |
Eddystone SE pinnacle | 50 10.807 - 04 15:729 | 12-45 | South Devon reef | |||||
The Elk | 50 18.427 - 04 10.314 | 32 | 3 | 3 | Devonport | Diveable at most states of the tide, but best at HW & LW | South Devon wreck | |
Elk Reef | 0 | Devonport | South Devon reef | |||||
Elsa | 40+ | 2 | Dartmouth | Can be dark | South Devon wreck | |||
Empress of India | 44 | 1 | 5 | Devonport | Lyme Bay wreck | |||
Fairyland trawler | 50 17.698 - 04 04.127 | 20 | South Devon wreck | |||||
Foyle | 50 16.734 - 04 10.870 | 47 | 3 | 3 | Devonport | South Devon wreck | ||
Galicia | 50 33.18N - 003 26.22W | 20 | Teignmouth | Diveable at any state of the tide | Lyme Bay wreck | |||
Gammon Head | 0 | Salcombe | South Devon reef | |||||
Glen Strathallan | 50 18.955 - 04 07.673 | 15 | Devonport | South Devon wreck | ||||
Glocliffe | 50:27:139 - 03:17:379 | 40 | 2 | 4 | Dartmouth | Lyme Bay wreck | ||
Greatham | 46 | 2 | 3 | Dartmouth | Best viz on slack after HW | South Devon wreck | ||
Greeleen | 50 27.41N - 003 13.51W | 43 | 2 | 4 | Devonport | Lyme Bay wreck | ||
Hand Deeps | 50 12.586 - 04.20.391 | 10-40 | 3-4 | 2-3 | Devonport | Experienced divers could drift dive at any state of neap tide | South Devon reef | |
Hat Rock | 20-60 | 3-4 | 2-3 | Devonport | South Devon reef | |||
Hellopes | 50 04.26N - 05 29.32W | 41 | SW Cornish wreck | |||||
The Herzogin Cecile | 7 | Salcombe | Diveable at any state of the tide. Can be strongish currents at eastern edge of the bay. | South Devon wreck | ||||
Hay Tor Reef | 50 10.624N - 03 54.197W | 30 - 45 | 2 neapish | Devonport | Probably similar to Ambassador. Reef very exposed to tidal streams. | South Devon reef | ||
Hillsea - Fairyland | 50 17.696 - 04 04.158 | 8-30 | South Devon reef | |||||
Hilsea Pinnacles | 6-30 | 3 | 2-3 | Devonport | Complete slack at -2 to -3 on neaps. Dive on slack. | South Devon reef | ||
Hilsea Point | 50 17.334 - 04.02.728 | 8-30 | 2-3 | 2-3 | Devonport | HW + 4 gives good 0.5-1.0 knot drift. | South Devon reef | |
Ilston | 49 57.12N- 05 09.43W | 50 | SW Cornish wreck | |||||
James Eagan Layne | 12-26 | Devonport | No strong currrents. | South Devon wreck | ||||
Jebba | 50 14.067 - 03 51.750 | 10 | South Devon wreck | |||||
Kendal Castle | 49 | 2 | 3 | Dartmouth | South Devon wreck | |||
Knap Shoal | 10-20 | 2-3 | 2-3 | Devonport | All drift dives | South Devon reef | ||
London Bridge | 10 | Torbay | Diveable at any state of the tide | South Devon reef | ||||
Lord Stewart | 50 29.37N - 003 16.60W | 34 | 2 | 4 | Torbay | Lyme Bay wreck | ||
The Louis Shied | 10 | Challaboro' | Diveable at any state of the tide | South Devon wreck | ||||
M2 submarine | 50 34.607 - 02 33.981 | 35 | 4 | Portland | Lyme Bay wreck | |||
The Maine | 50 12.750 - 03 50.960 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 40 | Salcombe | Really need neaps for this. Currents can vary from surface to bottom. | South Devon wreck |
The Medina | 50 12.425 - 03 32.251 | 50 - 65 | 2-3 | 3-4 | Salcombe | Vis variable. Lies N - S with bow facing S. No scour. | South Devon wreck | |
Medoc | 50 15.140 - 04 14.286 | 55 | 2-3 | 3-4 | Plymouth | 3-4 hrs after HW is the better (ie. weaker) slack | South Devon wreck | |
Mewstone Dropoff | 25-40 | 2 | 2 | Devonport | Diveable at any state of tide on neaps. Better viz on flood | South Devon reef | ||
Mewstone Ledges | 10-30 | 2 | 3 | Devonport | South Devon reef | |||
Modavia | 50 23.25N - 003 01.54W | 50 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
Mohegan | 50 02 773N - 05 02 803W | 15-25 | SW Cornish wreck | |||||
Mohegan - boiler | 50 02 768N - 05 02 636W | 15-25 | SW Cornish wreck | |||||
Morris Rogue | 6-14 | Torbay | Currents are usually quite slight | South Devon reef | ||||
The Newholm | 50 12.577 - 03 38.530 | 44 | 3.5 | 4 | Salcombe | Short slack before HW. Neaps advisable. Currents vary through the water column | South Devon wreck | |
Nice Reef | 50 12.534 - 03 56.535 | 22 - 36 | South Devon reef | |||||
Northville | 50 24.27N - 003 24.37W | 41 | 2 | 4 | Torbay | Poor slack/viz on before HW slack | Lyme Bay wreck | |
Oregon | 50 14.706 - 03 56.389 | 35 | 2.5 | Challaboro' | South Devon wreck | |||
Paddle Steamer | 22 | Salcombe | South Devon wreck | |||||
Perrone | 50 28.16N - 003 22.51W | 30 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
The Persier | 50 17.102 - 03 58.122 | 32 | Challaboro' | Diveable at any state of the tide, but some current on springs | South Devon wreck | |||
Pete's Patch | 50 18.183 : 04 07.215 | 15 - 25 | South Devon reef | |||||
Picton Castle | 37 | 2 | 3 | Dartmouth | Possible to dive 2 hours either side of slack on neaps. Best on flood | South Devon wreck | ||
Placidas Farroult | 12 | 0.5 | 30 | Dartmouth | Slack 30 min after HW or LW. Best dived on rising tide or HW slack | South Devon wreck | ||
Plymouth Drop off | 50 17.628 - 04 08.750 | 30 - 42 | South Devon reef | |||||
Poulmic | 50 19.193 - 04 09.696 | 18-22 | 2 | 2 | Devonport | South Devon wreck | ||
Prawle Point | 18-30 | Salcombe | South Devon reef | |||||
Princess Royal | 50 19.27N - 05 20.05W | 40 | SW Cornish wreck | |||||
The Rame Head Barge | 50 18.368 - 04 14.765 | 34 | South Devon wreck | |||||
The Riversdale | 50 11.777 - 03 44.143 | 42 | 3 | 30 | Devonport | Doesn't appear to be a slack before HW. Tidal flows can vary from surface to bottom. Springs not advisable. | South Devon wreck | |
Rosehill | 50 19.790 - 04 18.538 | 35 | 3 | 3 | Devonport | Slack not critical? | South Devon wreck | |
Rota | 50 24.59N - 003 18.54W | 46 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
Sevilla | 50 24.13N - 003 22.55W | 42 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
Shagstone | 5-15 | Devonport | Strongest tidal streams before & after HW, but never that bad | South Devon reef | ||||
Shoal Ground | 50 11.709 - 03 50.251 | 25 | 2 | South Devon reef | ||||
Shoal Ground dropoff | 50 11.672 - 03 49.923 | 28 - 40 | South Devon reef | |||||
Skaala | 50 11.759 - 03 49.684 | 45 | 3 | 3 | Salcombe | Arrive early and wait for slack. Long slack on neaps (+3 to +4, or more). See Ambassador | South Devon wreck | |
Soudan | 50 12.540 - 03 46.585 | 22 | HW | HW | 20 | Salcombe | Slack at HW & LW | South Devon wreck |
Starling Drop | 50 12.280 - 03 46.763 | 25 | 5 | 2 | Salcombe | Site subject to exposed currents | South Devon reef | |
Start Point | 9-15 | HW | HW | Salcombe | Diveable at any state of the tide in the shallows near shore | South Devon reef | ||
Start Race | 24-35 | 3 | Salcombe | Strong tidal race up to 4 knots | South Devon reef | |||
Stoke Point Barge | 50.16.417 - 04 01.960 | 41 | South Devon wreck | |||||
Stoke Reef | 50 17.233 - 04 01.333 | 30 | South Devon reef | |||||
Submarine - Dartmouth | 50:19:95 - 03:29:83 | 50 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
The Bull | 26-48 | 2 | 3.5 | Dartmouth | South Devon reef | |||
The Crags | 50 19:323 - 04 09:568 | 17 - 24 | 3 | 3 | Devonport | Diveable at most states of tide | Plymouth outside of Sound near Poulmic. A Reef. |
|
The Gulleys | 50 17.531 - 04 03.656 | 15-25 | South Devon reef | |||||
The Ridge | 7-10 | Torbay | Diveable at any state of the tide | South Devon reef | ||||
Three Pinnacles | 50 13.955 - 03 53.968 | 17 - 30 | 3 | 3 | Salcombe | Mild drift ideal for this site | South Devon reef | |
Tinker Shoal | 10-22 | Devonport | Diveable at any state of tide on neaps. Best viz at HW flood | South Devon reef | ||||
Tinsey Head | 18 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 15 - 30 | Dartmouth | Southward drift for much of the time. | South Devon reef | |
Totnes Castle | 50 15.375 - 03 58.841 | 45 | 2.5 | 45 - 60 | Challaboro' | South Devon wreck | ||
Trawler | 50 17.268 - 04 12.243 | 55 | South Devon wreck | |||||
Trawler (Tasmania) | 50 10.015 - 03 52.522 | 56 | South Devon wreck | |||||
U 1063 | 50 08.940 - 03 53.471 | 60 | South Devon wreck | |||||
Unicorn-Tile Wreck | 50 16.937 - 04 15.529 | 53 | 3 | 3 | Devonport | South Devon wreck | ||
The Dartmouth Unidentified | 50:18:00 - 03:30:60 | 46 | Lyme Bay wreck | |||||
HMS Untiring | 50 12.808 - 04 00.676 | 54 | 3 | Devonport | South Devon wreck | |||
Uskmoor | 50 10:27 - 03 47:14 | 50 | South Devon wreck | |||||
Volnay | 50 04 152N - 05 04 031W | 20 | SW Cornish wreck | |||||
Wells Rock | 50 17.486 - 03 56.291 | 15 | Challaboro' | South Devon reef | ||||
West Rutts | 50 13.695 - 04 05.312 | 25 - 40 | Challaboro' | South Devon reef | ||||
Western Ebb Rock | 8-16+ | Devonport | South Devon reef | |||||
Wreathier | 50 10.711 - 03 49.702 | 53 | Salcombe | South Devon wreck |