RAFFIO - Cornwall & Devon

The Raffio. Now this is a proper wreck, isn't it? She went down in 1931, not in a storm, but in a bit of a salvage mishap, tipping over while trying to help out the Jean Marie. Talk about bad luck. Lying at 53 metres, she’s deep, no doubt about it, so this is one for the experienced trimix crowd, not your casual recreational diver. When you hit the deck, the first thing you notice is the scale of the thing, especially if the visibility is playing ball. We love the Raffio because it feels like a genuine time capsule, largely intact. You can trace her lines, poke around the hold where the water poured in all those years ago. It’s a somber dive, knowing the story. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of conger eels making homes in the dark recesses. We’ve also seen some cracking lobsters tucked away, and the occasional anglerfish lurking on the superstructure. Best to plan this dive for a slack tide, obviously, but even then, the currents can be a bit frisky. Give her a respectful visit; she deserves it.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.336600, -2.330683
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 RAFFIO

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 RAFFIO

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