ELMDALE - Cornwall & Devon

The Elmdale is a proper chunk of history sitting on the seabed. She was torpedoed in 1917, and what remains is a fantastic dive for those who love poking around shipwrecks. We find the bow and stern particularly interesting, with a substantial portion of the hull still intact, unlike some of the more scattered sites in the area. You'll spend your time here exploring twisted metal and vast cargo holds, feeling the chill of the Atlantic even on a good day. It's a proper British wreck dive, meaning you'll want decent thermal protection. Our favourite part has to be the way the light filters down into the broken sections of the deck, illuminating schools of pollock darting through the wreckage. It's a site that rewards multiple visits, revealing new details each time the visibility allows. We'd suggest checking the tides carefully, as currents can pick up here.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.183838, -3.054047
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Bridgwater Bay

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 ELMDALE

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 ELMDALE

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