PRINCESS ENA

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Les Minquiers

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) - PRINCESS ENA 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 38m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Princess Ena, a steamship that met its end in 1935, is one of our favourite deep wrecks off the Cornish coast. Dropping down to 38 metres, you’ll find her mostly intact, lying on her port side. We love how the strong currents, which can be a real challenge at times, have scoured away much of the superstructure, revealing the skeletal ribs of her hull. You can still make out the large boilers and parts of the engine room, a real testament to her industrial past. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, but on a good day, the light filters through the green water, illuminating the vibrant jewel anemones that carpet every surface. Conger eels are always a possibility, tucked away in crevices, and we often spot dogfish patrolling the sandy seabed around the wreck. It's a dive that requires experience and good planning, especially given the depth and potential for strong tidal flows, but the rewards are significant. Exploring her decks, now just a framework for sea life, feels like stepping back in time.