PAGANINI (POSSIBLY) - Ksamil

The Paganini, as it’s often called, though some argue about the name, is a fantastic wreck in Ksamil. It’s a 1928 steamship, sitting upright at 35 metres, a real deep dive that feels like stepping back into June 1940. We love the scale of it; 89 metres long, a proper ship, not just a pile of rubble. You can make out so much of its original structure – the bow rising up, the deck machinery, even some of the holds. It’s a somber place, considering the history, with all those troops on board when it caught fire. For us, the draw isn’t just the history, it’s how marine life has taken hold. Expect schools of damselfish flickering around the superstructure, and we’ve often spotted conger eels peeking out from darker corners. The visibility here can be excellent, and when it is, the light filtering down onto the wreck creates this incredible, almost ghostly atmosphere. We’d suggest diving this one earlier in the day if you can, before any afternoon chop stirs things up. It’s definitely a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a bit of historical weight to their exploration.

Location

Ksamil, Albania, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

41.337982, 19.368683

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

35m

Marine Protected Area: Patok-Fushekuqe-Ishem