ARCHON RAPHAEL
Protected Area
Iles Musha et Maskhali
Why dive here
With 197+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, dugongs, hammerhead sharks and sea turtles - ARCHON RAPHAEL offers some of Gulf of Tadjoura's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 27°C.
The Archon Raphael, a good-sized steamship, went aground off Musha Island back in '68, and it’s become one of our favourite dives in Djibouti for good reason. She lies in just 18 metres, making it an easy, relaxed exploration, perfect for divers who want to spend some serious time soaking in the history without deep deco obligations. We love finning along her 134-meter length, picturing her journey from Sunderland to Shanghai. The wreck itself is a playground of twisted metal and open holds, all now completely colonised by the reef. Look for the schools of snapper and fusiliers that swirl around the davits and superstructure; they’re often so thick you can barely see the bow. Keep an eye on the deck, too, for crocodilefish tucked against the plating. The light penetration into the holds is often spectacular, painting the interior in shifting blues and greens, making for some dramatic photo opportunities. Our tip: go early to beat any potential boat traffic and enjoy the wreck in peace. The calm, shallow water means you can really take your time, picking through the details of a ship frozen in time.
Typical ARCHON RAPHAEL Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
ARCHON RAPHAEL Wreck History
Year Sunk
1968
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
7,176 GRT
The Archon Raphael began its life in 1944 as a quintessential piece of wartime engineering: the American Liberty Ship SS Le Baron Russell Briggs. Built to transport vast quantities of cargo for the Allied war effort, it survived the conflict and was later sold into commercial service. After passing through several owners and names, it was finally christened Archon Raphael and registered in Panama.
In May 1967, while on a voyage from Sunderland to Shanghai carrying a full cargo of cars, the Archon Raphael ran hard aground on the treacherous reefs of the Musha Islands in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti. Salvage efforts proved futile against the grip of the reef, and the ship was abandoned. Battered by the sea for months, it finally broke apart and was declared a total loss in February 1968.
The Archon Raphael is now one of Djibouti's premier wreck dives. The vessel lies in two main sections on a sloping reef, with the bow in the shallows and the stern sitting deeper around 18-25 meters. It has transformed into a spectacular artificial reef, teeming with vibrant coral growth and schools of fish. Divers can explore the cavernous cargo holds, where the ghostly remains of the cars it was carrying can still be seen. The wreck is a playground for marine life, with moray eels, groupers, and rays making their homes in the decaying superstructure, offering an unforgettable dive for all experience levels.
Reviews for ARCHON RAPHAEL
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARCHON RAPHAEL
ARCHON RAPHAEL Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARCHON RAPHAEL, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (11.85, 43.21) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
26.92°C
80°F
Air Temperature
34.85°C
95°F
Wind Speed
6.87 m/s
13.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1004.9 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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