RAYDER - Cornwall & Devon

The Rayder, a small fishing vessel that met its end on the rocks back in '94, isn't your grand, sprawling wreck, but we love it for its character. It’s a shallower dive, sitting upright at around 14 metres, which makes it perfect for a longer bottom time and really soaking it all in. We've spent many a dive here just exploring the remains of the wheelhouse and the hull, which has become a proper little apartment block for local critters. You'll spot schools of juvenile pollock darting in and out of the metalwork, sometimes a shy conger eel peeking from a dark corner, and the anemones are particularly colourful here, blooming like tiny underwater gardens on the superstructure. It’s not a dive for tearing around; it’s one for slow exploration, peering into every nook. Our favourite time to visit is just before high tide, when the water clarity often improves, and the light filters down beautifully, illuminating the deck. It's a genuinely charming little wreck, full of life, and ideal for photographers or anyone who appreciates the quieter side of wreck diving.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.451633, -3.486867
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
14m

Marine Protected Area: Meadfoot Sea Road

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 RAYDER

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 RAYDER

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