ANTONIETTA COSTA - Ksamil

The Antonieta Costa is a proper piece of history, just off Ksamil. We love this wreck not because it’s a technicolour reef, but because it feels like diving a time capsule. She was a steamship, sunk in 1940, and sits upright in about 9 metres of water. That shallow depth means heaps of ambient light filters down, even on a cloudy day, picking out the skeletal remains of her superstructure. You’ll find schools of small fish, mostly damselfish and juvenile bream, darting in and out of the broken hull plates. The bow is a favourite spot for a few resident moray eels, peeking out from behind rust-encrusted metal. We always spend a good chunk of time exploring the stern, where the prop shaft housing is still visible, encrusted with sponges and some surprising clumps of soft coral. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for newer wreck divers or anyone who appreciates the quieter beauty of a historical site. The visibility here is usually pretty good, often 15 metres plus, and there’s rarely any significant current. Our tip? Go early in the morning before any wind picks up, the water is glassy and the light is just stunning.

Location
Ksamil, Albania, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
41.279507, 19.446808
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Wreck History - ANTONIETTA COSTA

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
5,900 GRT

The Antonietta Costa was a substantial Italian steam-powered cargo ship, built in 1913. For over 25 years, she served as a workhorse of the Italian merchant marine, transporting goods across the Mediterranean. By 1940, with Europe engulfed in war, she was operating in increasingly dangerous waters, supporting supply lines between Italy and its territories.

In October 1940, during the opening days of the Greco-Italian War, the Antonietta Costa was on a passage from Durrës (Durazzo), Albania, to Bari, Italy. She was spotted and attacked by the Greek submarine RHS Papanikolis. A torpedo struck the vessel, inflicting critical damage. A valiant attempt was made to tow the crippled ship to safety, but the hull's integrity was compromised. The following day, she broke apart and sank just south of Durrës, becoming an early casualty of the naval conflict in the Adriatic.

Resting in just 9 meters of water, the Antonietta Costa is now a spectacular and easily accessible dive site off the coast of Ksamil. The shallow depth and typically clear water allow for long, relaxed dives perfect for all certification levels. The wreck is well broken up, with large sections of the hull, massive boilers, and engine components scattered across the sandy seabed. Over the decades, it has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, attracting a wide variety of marine life, making it a favorite for both wreck enthusiasts and underwater photographers.

Marine Protected Area: Patok-Fushekuqe-Ishem

Nearby Dive Sites in Ksamil

Nearest Dive Centres to ANTONIETTA COSTA

Marine Life in Ksamil

Home to 37 recorded species including 21 reef fish, 4 seagrass & algae, 4 sharks & rays, 3 whales & dolphins, 1 other, 1 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species