ALBANO (POSSIBLY)
Why dive here
With 33+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins and sea turtles - ALBANO (POSSIBLY) offers some of Ksamil's richest wreck diving.
The Albano, or what we believe is the Albano, sits in the shallows off Ksamil, a genuine surprise for anyone expecting typical Mediterranean reefs. At just 14 metres, this isn't a deep dive, but the atmosphere here is heavy with history. She’s an old steamer, laid low by a mine back in 1941, and you can still trace the lines of her 89-metre hull quite clearly. We love finning along her deck, imagining the life she once held. The bow section is our favourite, where the anchor chain still drapes dramatically. Over the decades, she’s become a home for all sorts of critters. We often spot octopus tucked into crevices, their eyes watching us warily, and schools of small fish dart in and out of the cargo holds. The visibility here can be decent, especially in the mornings before boat traffic picks up, making the silhouette of the wreck really pop against the blue. It’s a site that suits divers who appreciate a good story and don’t need crushing depths to feel a connection to the underwater world. Go slow, poke around, and let the history wash over you.
Typical ALBANO (POSSIBLY) 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 (POSSIBLY) Wreck History
Year Sunk
1941
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
mine
This wreck, often identified as the Italian steamship Albano, shares its history with another nearby site of the same name. Built in 1918, the vessel was taken over from its commercial owners, Adriatica Società Anonima di Navigazione, for military service with the Italian Navy during World War II. Its role was to ferry crucial supplies between Italian-controlled ports in Albania.
The ship's final voyage took place on January 2, 1941. While sailing from Durrës to Vlorë, it entered a minefield and suffered a devastating explosion. The Albano sank to the seabed, a stark reminder of the naval warfare that plagued the Adriatic during the conflict.
Located in a mere 14 meters of water near the coast of Ksamil, this site is a fantastic and highly accessible dive. Ideal for novice wreck divers, photographers, and those looking for a long, leisurely exploration, the wreck is bathed in natural light. Divers can easily navigate the scattered remains of the ship, which now function as a thriving artificial reef, teeming with damselfish, gobies, and other Mediterranean marine life.
Reviews for ALBANO (POSSIBLY)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ALBANO (POSSIBLY)
ALBANO (POSSIBLY) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ALBANO (POSSIBLY), 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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