Ethel (Wreck) - Cornwall & Devon

The Ethel is a proper wreck, one of our favourites in the UK, precisely because she’s not some manicured museum piece. We’re talking about a schooner, sunk back in 1891, and now she’s just… part of the seabed. Down at 35 metres, the light really starts to fade, giving the whole dive a moody, historical feel. You’ll find her broken up, but the bow and stern are still distinct enough to give you a real sense of her structure. We love finning slowly over the scattered timbers, imagining the old sailing days. What makes her special now, though, is the sheer volume of life that’s colonised the wreckage. Conger eels are always lurking in the deeper, darker sections, and we often spot spider crabs scuttling over the plates. Look closely amongst the rust and you’ll often find nudibranchs, tiny bursts of colour against the muted metal. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration and a good torch, perfect for intermediate divers who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a low-visibility challenge.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.467800, -2.279000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m
Difficulty
Intermediate

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 Ethel (Wreck)

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 Ethel (Wreck)

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