wreck

Log This Dive

EXCELSIOR (POSSIBLY)

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.