RAFFIO

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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) - RAFFIO 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 53m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.