CAPITAN ANTONIO
Why dive here
CAPITAN ANTONIO is a wreck dive in Vlora, Albania.
Capitan Antonio. She’s a big girl, this one, a 93-metre motor vessel that went down in a storm back in '87. We love a wreck with a story, and this one certainly has it. She’s shallow, only sitting at 10 metres, so it’s a long bottom time even for less experienced divers. The sheer scale of the ship is impressive as you descend; her bow points to the surface, almost inviting you in. You’ll spend most of your dive exploring the deck and superstructure. We usually find schools of damselfish flitting around the old cranes, and a few inquisitive groupers have made the darker corners their home. Look closely in the hold, there's often an octopus or two tucked away. Visibility here can be a bit variable, especially after a good blow, but on a calm day, the sunlight streaming through the openings in the wreck is quite something. Our tip? Go early, before the thermocline really sets in and stirs things up. It’s an easy dive, mostly about soaking in the atmosphere of a vessel reclaimed by the sea.
Typical CAPITAN ANTONIO 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.
CAPITAN ANTONIO Wreck History
Year Sunk
1987
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The M/V "Capitan Antonio" was a modern motor vessel built in Gijon, Spain, in 1970. In January 1987, while on a voyage from Taranto to Genoa, Italy, the ship ran into trouble in the Adriatic. On January 10, it ran aground in the picturesque Bay of Vlora, Albania. Despite efforts to save her, the vessel was lost and settled onto the shallow seabed, becoming an instant, and unintended, dive attraction.
Thanks to its unfortunate end, the Capitan Antonio is now one of the most accessible and popular wrecks in Albania. Lying in just 10 meters of water, it is a perfect site for novice divers, photographers, and those on their first wreck diving course. The shallow depth allows for long, relaxed bottom times with no need for decompression, and the clear Adriatic waters often provide superb visibility. The wreck is broken into sections, making it easy and safe to navigate, and its metallic structure is now home to a variety of Mediterranean marine life, offering a vibrant and fascinating dive for all experience levels.
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