ALBANO
Why dive here
With 33+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins and sea turtles - ALBANO offers some of Ksamil's richest wreck diving.
Ksamil’s Albano wreck is a real treat, especially for a shallower site. This old steamship, sunk by a mine in 1941, rests upright in about 15 metres of water. We love that you can really take your time exploring her 89-metre length. Descending, the sheer scale of the ship is the first thing that hits you – a proper wreck, not just scattered debris. You’ll spend most of your dive circling the superstructure, spotting the old davits and cargo holds. Schools of small fish dart in and out of the darker sections, and we often find moray eels peeking from crevices near the bow. Visibility here can sometimes be a bit moody, but even on a slightly greener day, the wreck’s outline is impressive. Our favourite part is the stern, where the prop shaft leads down to the rudder, now home to some vibrant anemones. It's an easy dive, perfect for newer wreck enthusiasts or anyone who wants a relaxed exploration without deep deco obligations.
Typical ALBANO 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.
ALBANO Wreck History
Year Sunk
1941
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
mine
The Albano was an Italian steamship built in 1918 by S.P. Austin & Son. Owned by the Adriatica Società Anonima di Navigazione, it served as a merchant vessel until the outbreak of World War II. With Italy's entry into the war, the Albano was requisitioned by the Marina Militare (the Italian Royal Navy) to transport supplies and personnel along the Adriatic coast.
On January 2, 1941, during the Greco-Italian War, the Albano was on a passage from Durrës (Durazzo) to Vlorë (Valona) in Albania when it struck a naval mine. The explosion was catastrophic, and the ship sank quickly, becoming a casualty of the extensive naval mining that occurred in the region. Its loss was a small but significant part of the wider conflict in the Mediterranean.
Resting in just 15 meters of water in the beautiful Bay of Ksamil, the Albano is now one of Albania's most popular and accessible wreck dives. The shallow depth and typically clear water allow for long, relaxed dives suitable for all certification levels. The wreck is broken but largely intact, offering fascinating exploration of its deck and cargo holds, which have become a haven for local fish and marine invertebrates.
Reviews for ALBANO
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ALBANO
ALBANO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ALBANO, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (39.82, 19.99) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
26.49°C
80°F
Wind Speed
3.92 m/s
7.6 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011.3 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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