EXCELSIOR (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Excelsior, or what we strongly suspect is the Excelsior, is a quiet dive, often overlooked for the flashier wrecks further west. But we love it for exactly that reason. Dropping onto the seabed at 18 metres, you’ll find the remains of a wooden drifter, surprisingly intact for its age. We often see the bow and stern still distinguishable, with ribs arching upwards like skeletal fingers, particularly towards the stern. This isn’t a wreck for penetration, but it’s perfect for a leisurely explore, weaving through the fallen timbers. Look closely and you’ll spot tiny nudibranchs, often on the darker sections of wood, and the odd lobster tucked deep into crevices. What really makes this site for us is the atmosphere; it feels like stepping back in time, imagining the men who worked this vessel. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the English Channel, but on a good day, the light filtering through the water onto the dark timbers is quite something. It’s a dive that rewards patience and a keen eye for detail, ideal for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history over dramatic structure.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.674995, -1.749161
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Marine Protected Area: Southbourne Rough

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 EXCELSIOR (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 EXCELSIOR (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