ELTHAM - Cornwall & Devon

The Eltham is a wreck that truly tells a story. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks with a bit of history, and this coaster, sunk in 1918, feels like a time capsule. Descending onto the site, the first thing you notice is how she’s broken in two, the bow and stern sections lying separated but still recognisable. It’s not a huge wreck, but that just means it’s more approachable, even on a day when the current is running a little. Inside the hold, if you fancy a quick penetration, you’ll often find conger eels coiled up, their thick bodies blending into the shadows. Around the deck plating, lobsters are tucked into every crevice, waving their antennae as you pass. The real magic here is in the details – the barnacle-encrusted davits, the remains of the ship’s structure now completely colonised by plumose anemones, swaying gently in the surge. It’s a site that rewards a slow exploration, really looking at how nature has reclaimed the steel. We’d suggest hitting it on a neap tide for the calmest conditions; it just makes lingering that much easier.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.300570, -5.238254
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: St Agnes

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 ELTHAM

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 ELTHAM

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