ALFRED EMMA - Cornwall & Devon

The Alfred Emma isn’t your typical deep-sea wreck. We love this site for its accessibility and the sheer amount of detail still visible, right up in the intertidal zone near Baggy Point. She was a ketch, wrecked in 1922, and unlike a lot of the deeper Cornish wrecks, you can really get a feel for the vessel's structure here. You'll find her at low tide, often just peeking out of the water, making it a brilliant spot for snorkelers and even freedivers looking for a different kind of challenge. As the tide comes in, the wreck transforms into an incredible habitat for rockpool critters and juvenile fish. Look closely in the nooks and crannies – we’ve seen everything from velvet swimming crabs scuttling about to tiny blennies peeking from rusted plates. It's a proper British wreck, encrusted with kelp and mussels, a living museum of local maritime history. Go at slack low tide, just before the turn, for the best visibility and a chance to explore her ribs and keel without much current.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.093887, -4.210000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Wreck History - ALFRED EMMA

Year Sunk
1922
Vessel Type
ketch
Cause
grounding

The Alfred Emma was a ketch that met its end on the 14th of April, 1922. Caught in treacherous conditions, the vessel ran aground and was stranded on the coast near Croyde in North Devon. Fortunately, the entire crew was rescued by the Croyde Coastguard, a testament to their skill and bravery. Today, the remains of the Alfred Emma rest at a depth of 0 metres, meaning its hull and superstructure are often visible from the shore, particularly at low tide. While not a traditional scuba dive, the wreck serves as a tangible piece of local maritime history, offering a fascinating point of interest for coastal explorers and a poignant reminder of the power of the sea.

Marine Protected Area: Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to ALFRED EMMA

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALFRED EMMA

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories