PRINCE D'EKMUHL - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.290596, -3.201231
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
51m

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 PRINCE D'EKMUHL

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 PRINCE D'EKMUHL

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