wreck

Log This Dive

RAPANA

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.