MCS Plymouth Local Group - Seasearch: Typical Dive Sites

Seasearch dives go out to as many different sites as possible. Below is a list of some of these sites, with examples of the kind of marine life that can be found there. We have photos of some of this marine life in the Seasearch Gallery - click the links in the marine life sections below to view them for each site.

Wreck Diving

Glen Strath Allen
A luxury yacht well broken in about 15m max depth. Viz is usually 5-6m. There are no permanent buoys on the wreck so don't forget to take an SMB. The Glen Strath Allen also lies in a No Take Zone, so please do not remove anything, including marine life, from the wreck.

Marine life seen at this site includes: Conger eels, dogfish, pollack, wrasse, poor cod, tompot blennies, lobsters, squat lobsters, boring sponges, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, squid and cuttlefish.

HMS Scylla
Britain's newest artificial reef and subject of the "Settling on Scylla" recording scheme (see the 'Seasearch Forms and Guidance Notes' page for more details). This 113m Leander Class Frigate was sunk back in March 2004 and lies in a maximum of 26m, with the depth the first deck being about 18m. Viz can be anything between 1 to 20+m. Scylla is permanently buoyed and has no tidal restrictions, but is really suitable for PADI AOW/equivalent divers and above.

When diving Scylla you are likely to encounter a number of yellow signs:

SAMPLE SITE - Do not touch these areas as the National Marine Aquarium is using these as their research points.
CHECK YOUR AIR - Pretty straight forward; do as it says!
DO NOT ENTER - Heed these warnings as these compartments are not suitable for divers and have been sealed off for a reason. There are plenty of challenging areas on Scylla's other decks.
WRECK PENETRATION SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED - Dangerous areas where specialist training is needed, so don't go in!

Don't forget, Scylla lies in a No Take Zone, so please do not take souvenirs or fish from the boat. If you really want something to take back with you have a look for dropped and lost diving equipment, especially after the bank holidays!

Marine life seen on Scylla so far has included: Squid, squid eggs, cuttlefish, jelly fish, dahlia anemones, plumose anemones, jewel anemones, oaten pipe hydroids, edible crabs, velvet swimming crabs, baby scallops, mussels, light bulb sea squirts, large solitary sea squirts, spiny starfish, common starfish, bib, pollack, red mullet, john dory, ballan wrasse, goldsinny wrasse, corkwing wrasse, rock cook, poor cod, dogfish, leopard spotted gobies, conger eels, various sea weeds, dead men's fingers and tube worms. These are just a few of these species that have made Scylla their home but there are plenty more to see. Scylla is frequented by sun fish and basking sharks in the summer, and a guillemot has even been seen at 22m!

James Eagan Layne
A classic 120m wreck ranging from about 6m to the bow, to a maximum depth of around 24m. The Eagan Layne sits upright on the sandy seabed, facing North (bow) to South (stern). She is permanently buoyed and diveable at any state of the tide, but divers should take care on big springs as there is a good run on her sometimes. There are no overhead restrictions as the majority of decking plates have fallen through, so if you dive her on big tides get inside the wreck for shelter.

Marine life seen on the Layne includes: corkwing wrasse, ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, pollack, bib, poor cod, john dory, tompot blennies, leopard spotted gobies, conger eels, pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), lobsters, light bulb sea squirts, common starfish, spiny starfish, edible crabs, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, dead men's fingers, sand masons, and even the occasional sun fish, basking shark and shoal of sea bass!

Persier
Arguably one of the best dives in South Devon, in a maximum depth of 30-32m (generally dived around 28m). The Persier is a large wreck that is broken up, but has many interesting features including the propshaft tunnel, rudder, spare prop, anchors and loads of big winches. She is permanantly buoyed and usually experiences good viz.

Marine life seen on this wreck includes: Pollack, conger eels, ballan wrasse, spiny starfish, dead men's fingers, pink sea fans and lots more!

Rose Hill
This wreck is well broken and flattened, in a maximum depth of 28-32m. Her boilers stand 4m proud of the sea bed, and the rudder and propeller are still in place at the stern. The wreck tends to be quite silty but there is lots of marine life to see. Rose Hill is permanently buoyed and diveable at any state of the tide.

Marine life seen on this wreck includes: Devonshire cup corals, pink sea fans, cuckoo wrasse and urchins.

Wreck at Hilsea Point
There is a fantastic wreck lying in about 20m of water just off Hilsea Point, which can be accessed by descending down an old abandoned lobster pot rope. The wreck lies in a sandy area surrounded by rocky reef and boulders and hosts an abundance of marine life - there are some excellent underwater photography opportunities here!

Marine life seen at this wreck includes: Ross coral, kelp, sea beech, red algae, dichotomous branching red algae, boring sponges, sea oranges, elephant hide sponges, breadcrumb sponges, sea beard, sea fir, dead men's fingers, pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), blue jellyfish, segmented worms, spider crabs, edible crabs, velvet swimming crabs, squat lobsters, painted top shells, spiny starfish, bloody henry starfish, brittlestars, edible sea urchins, common heart urchins (sea potato), cotton spinners, sea gherkins, various sea squirts including compound ascidians, colonial sea squirts and baked bean ascidians, goldsinny wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, corkwing wrasse, ballan wrasse, bib (pouting), pollack, poor cod, tompot blennies and fish fry (various species).

Reef Diving

We have fantastic reef dives, mainly offshore, but within easy reach of Plymouth. These dives range from 14m to 60m in depth and are therefore suitable for all levels of diving but most are tidal, so beware.

Duke Rock
A beautiful dive site, rich in marine life and providing excellent photographic opportunities.

Marine life at Duke Rock includes: various red seaweeds, boring sponges, hydroids, plumose anemones, dead men's fingers, segmented worms, peacock worms, sand masons, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, edible crabs, hermit crabs, sea lemons, scallops, spiny starfish, brittle stars, star ascidians, cuckoo wrasse, ballan wrasse, dragonets and gobies.

Eddystone Reef
A wonderful site, ranging from 8m to below 50m. However, the site is known for strong currents so the use of an SMB is essential, and it is very easy to go deeper than intended here. This site is therefore recommended for PADI AOW/equivalent divers and above only.

Marine life seen at this site includes: pink sea fans, ross coral, sea urchins, different species of starfish, jewel anemones, various sponges, crayfish, lobsters, wrasse, dogfish and sea cucumbers. Smooth hound sharks, sun fish and even dolphins are sometimes spotted at the site as well.

Eastern Kings
An excellent shore/drift dive between 7-40+m. Use of an SMB is recommended due to a large number of anglers in the area!

Marine life at this site includes: cuttlefish, edible crabs, spider crabs, dahlia anemones, plumose anemones, jewel anemones, dead men's fingers, sea stars, wrasse, blennies, shannies, rockling, pollack, conger eels, greater pipefish, sea scorpions, dragonets, fifteen-spined sticklebacks, shoals of bass, nudibranchs, hydroids, slender sea pens, segmented worms, painted top shells, antenna sea firs, feather stars, boring sponges, and eelgrass.

Fairylands
Close to Hilsea Point, but generally less affected by currents and slightly shallower at around 12-25m. Viz is typically good at 6-8m, but the area has some boat traffic so please use an SMB on this dive. A wonderful site, very popular with divers and skippers alike.

Marine life at Fairylands is varied and includes: oarweed (sea tangle, tangleweed, sea girdle, horsetail kelp, devil's apron), tangle (cuvie), various red seaweeds, boring sponges, elephant hide sponges, golf ball sponges, hydroids, dead men's fingers, twin fan worms, spider crabs, sea mats, common starfish, spiny starfish, bloody henry starfish, edible sea urchins, cotton spinners, pollack, cuckoo wrasse, ballan wrasse, rock cook, plaice and even a rare sighting of a tadpole fish.

Hand Deeps
The depth of this reef varies from 9m to well below 40m, so please check your depth regularly to ensure you don't dive beyond your limitations - it is surprisingly easy to do so here! Viz is usually around 8-12m and the site has no permanent shot line, so make sure you take an SMB with you on the dive. The area often has strong currents but the large granite boulders provide some shelter.

Marine life seen here includes: Ross coral, various sponges, jewel anemones, pink sea fans, lobsters, dogfish and several different species of wrasse. This is one of the rare sites you may be able to spot a smooth hound shark, so remember to take your camera with you!

Hilsea Point
A fantastic rocky reef described by one Seasearch diver as "even better than the diving in New Zealand"! Depths range from around 8m to 30m as there are lots of gullies and pinnacles in the area. The area is known for currents and often has yacht and other boat traffic, so please ensure you use an SMB. This is an excellent area for underwater photography.

Marine life seen at Hilsea includes: pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), ross coral, various sponges, lobsters, crayfish, dogfish, wrasse, urchins, starfish, nudibranchs, various sea weeds and sea cucumbers. There is also the occasional thornback ray.

Mewstone Ledges
A rocky reef with a maximum depth of 25-30m, though some areas can be as shallow as 12-15m. Viz is generally 2-8m. There is no permanent shot line at the site so remember to take an SMB. Again, this is a No Take Zone so please do not take anything away from the site.

Marine life at the Mewstone includes: various seaweeds including large kelp forests, boring sponges, several different types of hydroid, dead men's fingers, pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), ross coral, segmented worms, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, hermit crabs, lobsters, crayfish, spiny starfish, cuckoo wrasse, ballan wrasse, pollack, gobies and dogfish.

Pier Cellars
A shallow site around 13m max, suitable for PADI OW/equivalent and above. Viz is generally between 2-8m but there can be boat traffic in the area so please use an SMB on this dive. A lovely rocky reef with kelp forests gently sloping away to flat sandy areas.

Marine life seen here includes: sugar kelp (sea belt, poor man's weather glass), tangle (cuvie), various red seaweeds including carrageen, sea lettuce, boring sponges, sea oranges, different hydroid species, snakelocks anemones, compass jellyfish, sea squirts, tube worms, common hermit crabs, spider crabs, masked crabs, velvet swimming crabs, common lobsters, dog whelks, netted dog whelks, painted top shells, razor shells, twin fan worms, sea mats, nudibranchs, spiny starfish, bloody henry starfish, sand dab, snake pipefish, dragonets, pollack, ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse, rock cook, lesser spotted dogfish, conger eels, tompot blennies, leopard spotted gobies and sand gobies.

Penlee Point
Marine life seen at Penlee Point includes: kelp, sea beard, sea mats, ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, rock cook, pollack, greater pipe fish, flat fish, leopard spotted gobies, dragonets, sand eels, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, squat lobsters, painted top shells, moonsnails, sea cucumbers, cotton spinners, common starfish, spiny starfish, bloody henrys, dead men's fingers, fan worms, orange sea squirts, light bulb sea squirts, crater sponges, devonshire cup corals and sea potatoes.

Tinkers Shoal
Marine life seen here including: oarweed, sugar kelp, tangle (cuvie), fucoids, dulse, maerl, encrusting pink algae, sea oranges, golf ball sponges, boring sponges, breadcrumb sponges, hydroids, segmented worms, tube worms, spider crabs, painted top-shells, sea mats, common starfish, spiny starfish, cushion stars, bloody henrys, common (edible) sea urchins, sea cucumbers, rock cook, goldsinny wrasse, cuckoo wrasse painted gobies, two-spot gobies and epiphytes.

Queener Point
A lovely site with numerous gullies and sand patches. With an 8-10m maximum depth, it provides a good opportunity for a long bottom time and the chance to have a really careful look around.

Marine life seen at this site includes: kelp parks, various seaweeds, cuttlefish, tompot blennies, bib, wrasse, pollack, conger eels, dragonets, leopard spotted gobies, sand eels, bloody henry starfish, spiny starfish, common starfish, cotton spinners, leaches spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, lobsters, squat lobsters, common prawns, snakelocks anemones and sponges.

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	Home About our Group The Team Dates for your Diary Events Campaigns Latest News Photo Gallery Join MCS Links	Seasearch: Typical Dive Sites
		Seasearch dives go out to as many different sites as possible. Below is a list of some of these sites, with examples of the kind of marine life that can be found there. We have photos of some of this marine life in the Seasearch Gallery - click the links in the marine life sections below to view them for each site. Wreck Diving Glen Strath Allen A luxury yacht well broken in about 15m max depth. Viz is usually 5-6m. There are no permanent buoys on the wreck so don't forget to take an SMB. The Glen Strath Allen also lies in a No Take Zone, so please do not remove anything, including marine life, from the wreck. Marine life seen at this site includes: Conger eels, dogfish, pollack, wrasse, poor cod, tompot blennies, lobsters, squat lobsters, boring sponges, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, squid and cuttlefish. HMS Scylla Britain's newest artificial reef and subject of the "Settling on Scylla" recording scheme (see the 'Seasearch Forms and Guidance Notes' page for more details). This 113m Leander Class Frigate was sunk back in March 2004 and lies in a maximum of 26m, with the depth the first deck being about 18m. Viz can be anything between 1 to 20+m. Scylla is permanently buoyed and has no tidal restrictions, but is really suitable for PADI AOW/equivalent divers and above. When diving Scylla you are likely to encounter a number of yellow signs: SAMPLE SITE - Do not touch these areas as the National Marine Aquarium is using these as their research points. CHECK YOUR AIR - Pretty straight forward; do as it says! DO NOT ENTER - Heed these warnings as these compartments are not suitable for divers and have been sealed off for a reason. There are plenty of challenging areas on Scylla's other decks. WRECK PENETRATION SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED - Dangerous areas where specialist training is needed, so don't go in! Don't forget, Scylla lies in a No Take Zone, so please do not take souvenirs or fish from the boat. If you really want something to take back with you have a look for dropped and lost diving equipment, especially after the bank holidays! Marine life seen on Scylla so far has included: Squid, squid eggs, cuttlefish, jelly fish, dahlia anemones, plumose anemones, jewel anemones, oaten pipe hydroids, edible crabs, velvet swimming crabs, baby scallops, mussels, light bulb sea squirts, large solitary sea squirts, spiny starfish, common starfish, bib, pollack, red mullet, john dory, ballan wrasse, goldsinny wrasse, corkwing wrasse, rock cook, poor cod, dogfish, leopard spotted gobies, conger eels, various sea weeds, dead men's fingers and tube worms. These are just a few of these species that have made Scylla their home but there are plenty more to see. Scylla is frequented by sun fish and basking sharks in the summer, and a guillemot has even been seen at 22m! James Eagan Layne A classic 120m wreck ranging from about 6m to the bow, to a maximum depth of around 24m. The Eagan Layne sits upright on the sandy seabed, facing North (bow) to South (stern). She is permanently buoyed and diveable at any state of the tide, but divers should take care on big springs as there is a good run on her sometimes. There are no overhead restrictions as the majority of decking plates have fallen through, so if you dive her on big tides get inside the wreck for shelter. Marine life seen on the Layne includes: corkwing wrasse, ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, pollack, bib, poor cod, john dory, tompot blennies, leopard spotted gobies, conger eels, pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), lobsters, light bulb sea squirts, common starfish, spiny starfish, edible crabs, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, dead men's fingers, sand masons, and even the occasional sun fish, basking shark and shoal of sea bass! Persier Arguably one of the best dives in South Devon, in a maximum depth of 30-32m (generally dived around 28m). The Persier is a large wreck that is broken up, but has many interesting features including the propshaft tunnel, rudder, spare prop, anchors and loads of big winches. She is permanantly buoyed and usually experiences good viz. Marine life seen on this wreck includes: Pollack, conger eels, ballan wrasse, spiny starfish, dead men's fingers, pink sea fans and lots more! Rose Hill This wreck is well broken and flattened, in a maximum depth of 28-32m. Her boilers stand 4m proud of the sea bed, and the rudder and propeller are still in place at the stern. The wreck tends to be quite silty but there is lots of marine life to see. Rose Hill is permanently buoyed and diveable at any state of the tide. Marine life seen on this wreck includes: Devonshire cup corals, pink sea fans, cuckoo wrasse and urchins. Wreck at Hilsea Point There is a fantastic wreck lying in about 20m of water just off Hilsea Point, which can be accessed by descending down an old abandoned lobster pot rope. The wreck lies in a sandy area surrounded by rocky reef and boulders and hosts an abundance of marine life - there are some excellent underwater photography opportunities here! Marine life seen at this wreck includes: Ross coral, kelp, sea beech, red algae, dichotomous branching red algae, boring sponges, sea oranges, elephant hide sponges, breadcrumb sponges, sea beard, sea fir, dead men's fingers, pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), blue jellyfish, segmented worms, spider crabs, edible crabs, velvet swimming crabs, squat lobsters, painted top shells, spiny starfish, bloody henry starfish, brittlestars, edible sea urchins, common heart urchins (sea potato), cotton spinners, sea gherkins, various sea squirts including compound ascidians, colonial sea squirts and baked bean ascidians, goldsinny wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, corkwing wrasse, ballan wrasse, bib (pouting), pollack, poor cod, tompot blennies and fish fry (various species). Reef Diving We have fantastic reef dives, mainly offshore, but within easy reach of Plymouth. These dives range from 14m to 60m in depth and are therefore suitable for all levels of diving but most are tidal, so beware. Duke Rock A beautiful dive site, rich in marine life and providing excellent photographic opportunities. Marine life at Duke Rock includes: various red seaweeds, boring sponges, hydroids, plumose anemones, dead men's fingers, segmented worms, peacock worms, sand masons, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, edible crabs, hermit crabs, sea lemons, scallops, spiny starfish, brittle stars, star ascidians, cuckoo wrasse, ballan wrasse, dragonets and gobies. Eddystone Reef A wonderful site, ranging from 8m to below 50m. However, the site is known for strong currents so the use of an SMB is essential, and it is very easy to go deeper than intended here. This site is therefore recommended for PADI AOW/equivalent divers and above only. Marine life seen at this site includes: pink sea fans, ross coral, sea urchins, different species of starfish, jewel anemones, various sponges, crayfish, lobsters, wrasse, dogfish and sea cucumbers. Smooth hound sharks, sun fish and even dolphins are sometimes spotted at the site as well. Eastern Kings An excellent shore/drift dive between 7-40+m. Use of an SMB is recommended due to a large number of anglers in the area! Marine life at this site includes: cuttlefish, edible crabs, spider crabs, dahlia anemones, plumose anemones, jewel anemones, dead men's fingers, sea stars, wrasse, blennies, shannies, rockling, pollack, conger eels, greater pipefish, sea scorpions, dragonets, fifteen-spined sticklebacks, shoals of bass, nudibranchs, hydroids, slender sea pens, segmented worms, painted top shells, antenna sea firs, feather stars, boring sponges, and eelgrass. Fairylands Close to Hilsea Point, but generally less affected by currents and slightly shallower at around 12-25m. Viz is typically good at 6-8m, but the area has some boat traffic so please use an SMB on this dive. A wonderful site, very popular with divers and skippers alike. Marine life at Fairylands is varied and includes: oarweed (sea tangle, tangleweed, sea girdle, horsetail kelp, devil's apron), tangle (cuvie), various red seaweeds, boring sponges, elephant hide sponges, golf ball sponges, hydroids, dead men's fingers, twin fan worms, spider crabs, sea mats, common starfish, spiny starfish, bloody henry starfish, edible sea urchins, cotton spinners, pollack, cuckoo wrasse, ballan wrasse, rock cook, plaice and even a rare sighting of a tadpole fish. Hand Deeps The depth of this reef varies from 9m to well below 40m, so please check your depth regularly to ensure you don't dive beyond your limitations - it is surprisingly easy to do so here! Viz is usually around 8-12m and the site has no permanent shot line, so make sure you take an SMB with you on the dive. The area often has strong currents but the large granite boulders provide some shelter. Marine life seen here includes: Ross coral, various sponges, jewel anemones, pink sea fans, lobsters, dogfish and several different species of wrasse. This is one of the rare sites you may be able to spot a smooth hound shark, so remember to take your camera with you! Hilsea Point A fantastic rocky reef described by one Seasearch diver as "even better than the diving in New Zealand"! Depths range from around 8m to 30m as there are lots of gullies and pinnacles in the area. The area is known for currents and often has yacht and other boat traffic, so please ensure you use an SMB. This is an excellent area for underwater photography. Marine life seen at Hilsea includes: pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), ross coral, various sponges, lobsters, crayfish, dogfish, wrasse, urchins, starfish, nudibranchs, various sea weeds and sea cucumbers. There is also the occasional thornback ray. Mewstone Ledges A rocky reef with a maximum depth of 25-30m, though some areas can be as shallow as 12-15m. Viz is generally 2-8m. There is no permanent shot line at the site so remember to take an SMB. Again, this is a No Take Zone so please do not take anything away from the site. Marine life at the Mewstone includes: various seaweeds including large kelp forests, boring sponges, several different types of hydroid, dead men's fingers, pink sea fans (a protected and very fragile species, so please take extra care around these!), ross coral, segmented worms, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, hermit crabs, lobsters, crayfish, spiny starfish, cuckoo wrasse, ballan wrasse, pollack, gobies and dogfish. Pier Cellars A shallow site around 13m max, suitable for PADI OW/equivalent and above. Viz is generally between 2-8m but there can be boat traffic in the area so please use an SMB on this dive. A lovely rocky reef with kelp forests gently sloping away to flat sandy areas. Marine life seen here includes: sugar kelp (sea belt, poor man's weather glass), tangle (cuvie), various red seaweeds including carrageen, sea lettuce, boring sponges, sea oranges, different hydroid species, snakelocks anemones, compass jellyfish, sea squirts, tube worms, common hermit crabs, spider crabs, masked crabs, velvet swimming crabs, common lobsters, dog whelks, netted dog whelks, painted top shells, razor shells, twin fan worms, sea mats, nudibranchs, spiny starfish, bloody henry starfish, sand dab, snake pipefish, dragonets, pollack, ballan wrasse, corkwing wrasse, rock cook, lesser spotted dogfish, conger eels, tompot blennies, leopard spotted gobies and sand gobies. Penlee Point Marine life seen at Penlee Point includes: kelp, sea beard, sea mats, ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, rock cook, pollack, greater pipe fish, flat fish, leopard spotted gobies, dragonets, sand eels, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, squat lobsters, painted top shells, moonsnails, sea cucumbers, cotton spinners, common starfish, spiny starfish, bloody henrys, dead men's fingers, fan worms, orange sea squirts, light bulb sea squirts, crater sponges, devonshire cup corals and sea potatoes. Tinkers Shoal Marine life seen here including: oarweed, sugar kelp, tangle (cuvie), fucoids, dulse, maerl, encrusting pink algae, sea oranges, golf ball sponges, boring sponges, breadcrumb sponges, hydroids, segmented worms, tube worms, spider crabs, painted top-shells, sea mats, common starfish, spiny starfish, cushion stars, bloody henrys, common (edible) sea urchins, sea cucumbers, rock cook, goldsinny wrasse, cuckoo wrasse painted gobies, two-spot gobies and epiphytes. Queener Point A lovely site with numerous gullies and sand patches. With an 8-10m maximum depth, it provides a good opportunity for a long bottom time and the chance to have a really careful look around. Marine life seen at this site includes: kelp parks, various seaweeds, cuttlefish, tompot blennies, bib, wrasse, pollack, conger eels, dragonets, leopard spotted gobies, sand eels, bloody henry starfish, spiny starfish, common starfish, cotton spinners, leaches spider crabs, velvet swimming crabs, lobsters, squat lobsters, common prawns, snakelocks anemones and sponges.