RAPANA - Cornwall & Devon

Rapana isn’t your typical deep dive, or even a typical wreck. What you’re signing up for here is a proper shore-entry adventure, accessible only on low spring tides. We’d suggest sturdy boots, because it’s a bit of a scramble over the rocks to get to where she lies, practically on the beach. But what a payoff. This small sailing vessel, broken up after running aground in '98, is now a collection of scattered ribs and hull plates, a skeleton picked clean by the tides. It's shallow, barely a metre, so think snorkel or free-dive rather than full scuba. We love exploring the nooks and crannies the wreck creates, little homes for crabs, blennies darting between barnacle-encrusted timbers. Look closely in the crevices; we’ve often found tiny cowries clinging to the rusty metal, and anemones swaying with the surge. The best time to go is definitely on a calm day, just after the tide has started to turn, giving you maximum time before it pushes you out. The water can be chilly, even in summer, so a good wetsuit is a must. It’s a great spot for underwater photographers looking for macro subjects in a unique, intertidal environment.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.583910, -2.034690
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Purbeck Coast

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 RAPANA

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 RAPANA

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