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A scuba diver examines a shipwreck surrounded by marine life in the Caribbean sea, showcasing vibrant underwater exploration.
📷 Pascal Ingelrest · Pexels

HMS Minion

HMS Minion is a UK wreck dive offering year-round access to a historic destroyer off the British coast.

⭐ Best for advanced divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Advanced
WreckAdvancedOnly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
advanced
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
HMS Minion location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
22.2 kn
Wave
1.94 m
Water
19.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WSW (53%)
Now: WSW (251°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 4.04m

Next: High at 04:00 (+0.86m)

+1.8 m0 m-2.3 m
▲ 04:00 · +0.86m ▼ 10:00 · -1.57m ▲ 17:00 · +0.89m ▼ 23:00 · -1.34m Now -1.2m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV2.9 · low Air PM2.57 · good 06:40 19:08
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 23.3 1.9 3 0mm
09-19 24.1 2.04 3 0mm
09-20 21.6 1.72 4 0mm
09-21 5.8 0.52 5 0mm
09-22 4.3 0.26 4 0mm
09-23 13.4 0.44 4 0mm
09-24 8.9 0.48 4 0mm

About this spot

HMS Minion is a wreck dive site in United Kingdom waters that attracts divers seeking to explore naval history. The site centers on a destroyer-class vessel, making it a destination for wreck diving enthusiasts. Year-round diving is possible at this location, giving divers flexibility in planning their trips. The wreck presents an opportunity to explore a piece of maritime heritage. Wreck diving requires proper training and experience, as these sites involve navigation through confined spaces and potential hazards like entanglement risks and sharp edges. Divers should ensure they have relevant qualifications before attempting any wreck penetration. Access to HMS Minion is straightforward for UK-based divers, with no protected area restrictions limiting visits. The site has built a small community of divers, evidenced by available video documentation of dives there. These community resources can help new visitors understand the site layout and conditions before diving. Planning a dive here means checking current weather and sea conditions, as UK waters can be unpredictable. Local dive operators familiar with the site can provide up-to-date information on conditions, depth specifics, and visibility on any given day. Proper thermal protection is essential for UK diving year-round.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United Kingdom: 57 Sites From Wrecks to Seals

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

WreckBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type G · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 93km · ~21kg · €0

FAQ

Can I dive HMS Minion year-round?

Yes, HMS Minion is accessible for diving throughout the year. However, UK waters are cold and can be choppy, so plan dives during calmer months if possible and always check local conditions before heading out.

What training do I need for HMS Minion?

This is a wreck dive site. You should hold wreck diving training appropriate to the depth and any penetration you plan. Consult local operators about specific recommendations for this wreck.

What marine life might I see?

Wreck sites in UK waters typically attract fish seeking shelter in the structure. Community videos from HMS Minion can give you a realistic picture of what marine life is commonly observed.

Are there permits or restrictions?

HMS Minion is not within a Marine Protected Area, so standard UK diving regulations apply. Always dive with a qualified operator and follow all safety protocols for wreck diving.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

A Royal Navy Warship Lost for a Century Finally Found

Deep Wreck Diver

Divers React to deadly wreck dive on the HMS Scylla

DIVE TALK

Where Divers are made | Episode 159

Royal Navy
wind peaks Dec-Nov-Feb, calmest May-Jul-Jun, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Apr (0/100) Now: Sep (86/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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HMS Keryado

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