ELSA (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Elsa, a Norwegian steamer, went down in 1918 and now sits upright at 45 metres. She’s a big wreck, over 100 metres long, and because she’s so intact, she offers some truly excellent penetration opportunities for suitably qualified divers. We love dropping down the shot line and seeing her emerge from the gloom, the twin boilers standing proud, the triple expansion engine still impressive. Her scale alone is impressive. You can explore her length, picking out deck fittings encrusted with plumose anemones, and peer into cargo holds that now house bib and conger eels. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss in the English Channel, but on a good day, watching the light filter down onto the stern, where the prop shaft leads to a huge, four-bladed propeller, is pretty special. It's a deep dive, requiring proper planning and gas management, but for those with the experience, the Elsa is a seriously rewarding piece of history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.353950, -3.443267
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

Marine Protected Area: Berry Head to Sharkham Point

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 ELSA (POSSIBLY)

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 ELSA (POSSIBLY)

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