ERME INGOT - Cornwall & Devon

Alright, the Erme Ingot site. We love this one for its sheer simplicity and genuine historical weight. You’re not getting a grand, intact wreck here. Instead, it’s a scatter, a field of ancient tin ingots lying on the seabed at a gentle 10 metres. The water often has that Cornish emerald tint, soft light filtering down, illuminating these metallic lumps that have been down there for centuries. It’s a quiet dive, best suited to those who appreciate history and the slow creep of the sea claiming human artefacts. We’d suggest going at slack tide, really taking your time to trace the pattern of the ingots. Some are half-buried, others completely encrusted with dead man’s fingers and small anemones. Look closely among them, and you’ll find gobies darting between the crevices, tiny crabs scuttling. It feels like you’re diving through a forgotten cargo hold, an almost meditative experience. This isn’t about big pelagics or vibrant corals; it’s about touching a piece of Britain’s maritime past, letting your imagination run a little wild about the vessel that carried them.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.303080, -3.957990
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Erme Estuary

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 ERME INGOT

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 ERME INGOT

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