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Rafes Chasm

A scenic walk through the oakwood leads you to a captivating dive site where a series of granite ledges descend into the beautiful sea. The entry/exit point is conveniently situated near the path, allowing for easy access. For those diving from the west side, a confident giant stride entry is recommended. However, it is important to note that exit can be challenging at times due to surge conditions.

Divers at this location can expect to encounter an abundance of marine life. The area is known for attracting Striped Bass, Halibut, and Cunner schools. As you explore the underwater landscape, you'll find the rocks lined with vibrant mussels, while curious lobsters roam the depths. Don't forget to keep an eye out for sculpin and northern puffers, adding an element of excitement to your dive.

With a visibility of 4 meters and a maximum depth of 11 meters, this dive site is suitable for divers of all levels, including beginners. Located in the United States, specifically within close proximity to Strawberry Cove in Magnolia, Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts, this underwater gem is waiting to be explored.

Diving Conditions Score for Rafes Chasm

6.9
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Rafes Chasm

Depth

11m

Visibility

4m

Experience Level

beginner

Weather Conditions for Rafes Chasm

Wave Height

0.2m

Wind Speed

10.7 m/s

Water Temp

15.8°C

Visibility

16.6km

Cloud Cover

3%

Wave Period

9s

Air Temperature

22°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Rafes Chasm
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Rafes Chasm

Best time to dive: 13:00 with score 8.776219047619048/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.2m, Wind 1.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 4:00 with score 7.913170349907918/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Rafes Chasm: 06:00
Sunset at Rafes Chasm: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Rafes Chasm are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
13:00

Score: 8.8/10
Waves: 0.2m (8.75s), Wind: 1.1 m/s

🌙
Best Night
4:00

Score: 7.9/10
Waves: 0.2m, Wind: 6.1 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Rafes Chasm
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Rafes Chasm

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Rafes Chasm

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.0/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Rafes Chasm

January
Score: 8.2
December
Score: 8.0
February
Score: 7.9

Ideal Conditions for Rafes Chasm

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

23.4°C / 74.1°F

July

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

13.1m / 43.0ft

December

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.4m / 4.6ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Rafes Chasm

Rafes Chasm shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (23.4°C) and January the coldest (-6.7°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.4m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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