Panther Shoal
Panther Shoal, located in Heybrook Bay, South Hams, Devon, South West England, is an intriguing dive site for both beginner and advanced divers. This underwater location offers more than just a vibrant marine life. Positioned between the firing line and fall of shot from both Fort Picklecombe and Breakwater Fort, Panther Shoal is a treasure trove of historical artifacts like cannonballs. With a maximum depth of 17m and visibility up to 6m, divers can explore the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this area. The shoal stretches parallel to the main shipping channel for approximately ¾ of a mile and is aligned with the Western end of Plymouth Breakwater. Discover the rich underwater heritage of Panther Shoal and indulge in an unforgettable diving experience in this United Kingdom dive site.
Diving Conditions Score for Panther Shoal
4.9
Below AverageChallenging conditions, for experienced divers only.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Panther Shoal
Depth
17m
Visibility
6m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for Panther Shoal
Wave Height
0.6m
Wind Speed
9.7 m/s
Water Temp
15.9°C
Visibility
120m
Cloud Cover
100%
Wave Period
6.2s
Air Temperature
15°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Panther Shoal
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Panther Shoal
Best time to dive: 16:00 with score 7.1724043715847/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.62m, Wind 15.8 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 6.164838709677419/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Panther Shoal: 06:00
Sunset at Panther Shoal: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Panther Shoal are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
16:00Score: 7.2/10
Waves: 0.62m (6.1s), Wind: 15.8 m/s
Best Night
18:00Score: 6.2/10
Waves: 0.6m, Wind: 10.1 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Panther ShoalAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Panther Shoal
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Panther Shoal
Winter
Avg. Score: 8.0/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Panther Shoal
January
Score: 8.6
December
Score: 7.8
February
Score: 7.7
Ideal Conditions for Panther Shoal
Water Temp
18.1°C / 64.6°F
August
Visibility
15.1m / 49.5ft
January
Wave Height
0.9m / 3.0ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Panther Shoal
Panther Shoal shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with August being the warmest month (18.1°C) and December the coldest (2.7°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.9m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). August is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 18, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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