PRINCE D'EKMUHL

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

East of Start Point

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - PRINCE D'EKMUHL offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 51m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Prince D'Eckmuhl is a proper deep dive, sitting at 51 metres, so it’s one for the experienced techies. We’ve always been drawn to wrecks that tell a story, and this 14-metre French fishing vessel, which went down in 1991 after springing a plank, absolutely has one. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the incredible visibility on a good day, often 15 metres or more, which is always a treat at this depth in UK waters. What we love about this wreck is how intact it remains despite the years and the depth. You can make out the trawl gear, the wheelhouse, even some of the internal structure if you’re careful and properly trained for wreck penetration. It’s not just a pile of metal either; shoals of pollock often hang off the bow, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky conger eels tucked into the darker crevices. The light filtering down through the green water, reflecting off the metal, creates a truly atmospheric scene. Our tip: aim for a slack tide dive; those currents can be a real nuisance.