ORPHEE

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) - ORPHEE 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 12m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Orphee, a fishing vessel that met its end off Jersey in '82, now rests in the relatively shallow embrace of Bigbury Bay, making it a surprisingly accessible wreck dive for many. At just 12 metres, you get some excellent bottom time here, which we always appreciate when there's plenty to poke around. We find it’s not just the wreck itself that draws you in, but the way the ocean has completely reclaimed it. You'll fin down to find the Orphee largely intact, her outline still clear on the sandy seabed. There are often schools of pollack circling the mast, and we’ve seen some hefty conger eels peeking out from beneath twisted plating – a real treat. It’s a site that really comes alive on a sunny day when the light filters down, illuminating the vibrant jewel anemones that carpet the deck. We think it’s a brilliant training ground for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants a relaxed exploration without the pressure of depth or strong currents. Just watch your fins; there's plenty of old fishing gear still snagged on parts of the wreck.