ELMCREST - Cornwall & Devon

The Elmcrest is a proper deep dive, a serious expedition for those comfortable heading down to 55 metres. She’s a big steamship, over 100 metres long, which means there’s plenty to explore, even if the depth limits bottom time. We love the scale of this wreck; you really get a sense of her immense size as you descend onto the decks. Dropping down, the light fades quickly, and the wreck emerges from the gloom, often cloaked in plumose anemones. Our favourite part is navigating the broken superstructure, where schools of bib dart between the twisted metal. The triple expansion engine is a massive feature, still largely intact, a testament to her build. We’ve spotted conger eels here, tucked deep within the plating, and the occasional anglerfish lurking on the sand nearby. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, a fantastic example of a deep-water artificial reef. Pick a day with minimal current for the best experience.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.284720, -2.321250
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
55m

Marine Protected Area: South Dorset

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 ELMCREST

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 ELMCREST

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