ELFORD - Cornwall & Devon

The Elford is a proper wreck dive, sitting upright and mostly intact at 17 metres. We really rate it for its sheer scale; 77 metres long, she's a big old steamship from 1915, sunk by a mine in 1917. You can really get a sense of her original form, with those two huge boilers still standing proud, creating a perfect shelter for conger eels. We've often seen them poking their heads out, looking grumpy. This isn't a tricky dive, so it’s great for anyone comfortable with a bit of overhead, though entry and exit on a bouncy day can be a bit of a workout. The stern is particularly photogenic, often draped in dead man's fingers, and we love finding the prop shaft, which gives you a real feel for the engineering of the era. On a clear day, the light through the remaining deck structures is fantastic, illuminating the schools of pouting that mill around the holds. Visibility can be hit or miss, so pick your weather window; slack water is key here, otherwise, the current can be a nuisance.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.634018, -0.978883
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Marine Protected Area: Utopia

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 ELFORD

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 ELFORD

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