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A diver swims through a sunlit underwater coral reef surrounded by clear turquoise waters.
📷 THOMAS PORTER · Pexels

HMT Ocean Sunlight

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.3 12 species 40 contributors

HMT Ocean Sunlight is a UK wreck dive offering year-round exploration with 12 recorded species observations and community video documentation.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
HMT Ocean Sunlight location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
kn
Wave
1.72 m
Water
19°C
Tide (7 days)
range: 4.28m

Next: High at 04:00 (+0.92m)

+1.9 m0 m-2.4 m
▲ 04:00 · +0.92m ▼ 11:00 · -1.68m ▲ 17:00 · +0.95m ▼ 23:00 · -1.44m Now -1.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV— · — Air PM2.56 · good
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 1.7
09-19 1.8
09-20 1.46
09-21 0.4
09-22 0.18
09-23 0.32
09-24 0.34

About this spot

HMT Ocean Sunlight is a historic wreck dive located in United Kingdom waters. The site attracts divers interested in shipwreck exploration and has generated enough community interest to support documented video footage and species records. With 12 species observations logged by the diving community, the wreck hosts marine life typical of UK temperate waters. The site operates outside a marine protected area, making it accessible under standard diving regulations. Year-round diving availability means you can plan trips across all seasons, though conditions will vary seasonally. The wreck provides structure that supports diverse marine communities, and the documented species sightings give divers a clear picture of what to expect underwater. Community contributions—including 3 videos—offer real-world perspective on the dive experience. Before planning a trip, confirm current site conditions and any local requirements with operators familiar with the location.

📖 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 ↔ 82km · ~19kg · €0

FAQ

When is the best time to dive HMT Ocean Sunlight?

The site is diveable year-round. UK water conditions shift seasonally, so check with local operators about visibility and water temperature for your intended dive dates.

What marine life is found at HMT Ocean Sunlight?

12 species observations have been recorded at the site. These represent typical UK temperate wreck fauna. Review community records and videos for specific species details before your dive.

What depth and difficulty level is this wreck?

Depth and difficulty data are not currently documented. Contact experienced UK wreck operators or review the 3 available community videos for practical details on depth, penetration, and skill requirements.

Do I need permits or special authorization to dive HMT Ocean Sunlight?

The site is outside a marine protected area. Check with local dive operators for any licensing, safety requirements, or guidance specific to wreck diving in this location.

Operators near this spot

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

HMT Ocean Sunlight

0 km
Dive centre

City of Brisbane

4.8 km
Dive centre

Clan Macmillan

6.2 km
Dive centre

Newhaven Scuba Center

8.7 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

4 records · 4 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Sepia officinalis

Cephalopoda · Sepiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×1records

Buccinum undatum

Gastropoda · Buccinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×1records

Pecten maximus

Bivalvia · Pectinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
18 Jan 2026
×1records

Scyliorhinus canicula

Elasmobranchii · Scyliorhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Mariana Trench: Record-breaking journey to the bottom of the ocean - BBC News

BBC News

Fascinating 3D Journey to the Ocean Depths

BRIGHT SIDE

Marine Life found on the HMT Bedfordshire

Coastal Studies Institute

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "South Court is a block of flats next to but not part of Quebec barracks"

    anonymous · 2026-05-07
  • "Expected to be Kitgum Kitchen, opening June 2026 (moved from Preston Road)"

    Paul Flo Williams · 2026-05-07
wind peaks Dec-Feb-Oct, calmest Jul-Aug-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 (97/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

City of Brisbane United Kingdom Diving
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City of Brisbane is a wreck dive in the UK offering year-round exploration with documented marine life observations.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Clan Macmillan United Kingdom Diving
🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Clan Macmillan

Clan Macmillan is a UK dive site offering year-round access with documented marine life observations and community video records.

Jan·Feb·Mar+
City of Waterford United Kingdom Diving
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City of Waterford

City of Waterford is a UK wreck dive offering year-round exploration in Irish waters with active community content.

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