JOHN GRAFTON

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Jersey Coast

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) - JOHN GRAFTON 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 7m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The John Grafton is a proper little time capsule, sitting shallow enough that you can really stretch out your bottom time and soak it all in. We love it because it’s so approachable, even for divers newer to wreck diving. You’ll find the remains of a steamship, sunk way back in 1852 after an unfortunate run-in with the Pignonet. What’s left is a spread of ribs and plating, now completely taken over by the Channel's tenacious critters. Expect to see plenty of pollack darting through the structure, crabs scuttling over the plates, and often, some surprisingly large conger eels tucked into the more sheltered spots. The way the light plays through the kelp, illuminating bits of rusted metal, is always a treat. It’s a site that rewards a slow, deliberate exploration, tracing the lines of the old hull and imagining its last moments. Our tip? Go on a calm day with good sun; the visibility can really make the colours pop, and it’s just a more pleasant dive all around.